pastel

noun pas·tel \ pa-ˈstel \

Definition of pastel

1 :a paste made of powdered pigment ranging from pale to deep colors and used for making crayons; also :a crayon made of such paste

2 a :a drawing in pastel

b :the process or art of drawing with pastels

3 :a light literary sketch

4 :any of various pale or light colors

See pastel defined for English-language learners

See pastel defined for kids

Examples of pastel in a Sentence

She has a collection of pastels.
She prefers a pastel like light yellow.
The room is painted in a pastel shade of blue.

Recent Examples of pastel from the Web

Test the bold look out with M.A.C.'s Dare Hue! Brow Pencil in a poppy pastel.

— macaela mackenzie, Allure, "M.A.C. Has a Secret Sale Section on Its Website," 29 Aug. 2017
The pastel-like pink hued ears are, in a word, magical.

— michelle darrisaw, Southern Living, "The Rose Gold Minnie Ears are Here—And We’re Kind of Obsessed," 11 Aug. 2017
For today’s teens, this often means arrowed eyes or smoky eye shadows, deep blue, gray, green or amethyst eye irises, or pastel, neon, rainbow or denim hair.

— rima himelstein, Philly.com, "Make up, hair dyeing, cosmetic contact lenses: Are there any health risks?," 8 Aug. 2017
As with brands such as La Croix, the company's aesthetic (purposefully pretty, playful, and pastel) has attracted a loyal fan base, who often purchase products for their friends and family.

— laura entis, Fortune, "Exclusive: Sugarfina Raises $35 Million to Expand Its Instagramable Candy Empire," 3 Aug. 2017
Their pastel-colored wardrobe became associated with the cluster of Art Deco buildings.

— johnny diaz, Sun-Sentinel.com, "'Miami Vice' making a comeback? Vin Diesel working with NBC to reboot series," 3 Aug. 2017
Some robe and hood sets are fashioned in fetching pastel prints.

— mary carole mccauley, baltimoresun.com, "Baltimore artist Paul Rucker tackles racism and justice, turns heads nationwide," 21 July 2017
This annual plein air paint-out event involves artists working outdoors on a July weekend and then exhibiting the resulting paintings, watercolors and pastels at the arts center.

— mike giuliano, Howard County Times, "Ellicott City is ready for its portrait," 18 July 2017
Adding in a few lighter shades to the mix, such as muted pastels and a light grey, will make for the perfect balance during this transitional time of year.

— jenna milliner-waddell, ELLE Decor, "30 Gorgeous Fall Wedding Colors For An Unforgettable Day," 5 July 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'pastel.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of pastel

French, from Italian pastello, from Late Latin pastellus woad, from diminutive of pasta

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1612

See Words from the same year

pastel

adjective

Definition of pastel

1 a :of or relating to a pastel

b :made with pastels

2 :pale and light in color

3 :lacking in body or vigor

Examples of pastel in a Sentence

a pastel blue to go with the pale pink walls

Recent Examples of pastel from the Web

How did the place with pastel houses, picket fences, and bike paths become one of the hottest beach destinations in the world?

— birmingham magazine, AL.com, "Opinion: Seaside is the best vacation destination," 27 Aug. 2017
Though Gunn had never worked on cars, Owens saw potential after admiring the attention to detail in his artwork, a pastel portrait of a mother and child.

— beth warren, The Courier-Journal, "‘I was scared to get sober': He dealt heroin, now he's been clean six years," 24 Aug. 2017
The Hyattsville Community Arts Alliance presents a showcase of 16 multimedia works that depict local landscapes, gardens and more, with a solo wall by pastel artist Margot Braswell.

— jillian s. jarrett, Washington Post, "Going Out Guide for Maryland, Aug. 24-30, 2017," 23 Aug. 2017
It's crowned by a pastel Victorian house filled to the brim with all sorts of treats, made by Albanese and other companies.

— christin nance lazerus, chicagotribune.com, "Albanese serves up sweet success," 14 Aug. 2017
The video not only has a quiet, whispering narrator, but also features oddly calming sounds of a bed being made and showcases muted pastel colors.

— megan friedman, House Beautiful, "IKEA's New Ad Runs 25 Minutes and Will Either Soothe or Stress You," 10 Aug. 2017
THE HIT LIST A heartbreaking restaurant of staggering genius Video People used to come to Charleston to ogle the pastel mansions with the pretty side porches.

— Bon Appetit, "Staplehouse," 8 Aug. 2017
The brand will station itself at various places throughout the city in a pastel pink truck that's absolute on-point perfection.

— laura beck, Cosmopolitan, "Limited Too Is Coming Back So You Can Buy Up Your Entire Youth," 28 July 2017
Dirt floors, cacti, and pastel school chairs set the scene for smoky meats (carne asada, al pastor, chicken) cooked over a wood fire and served Norteño style in flour tortillas.

— garrett snyder, Los Angeles Magazine, "The Los Angeles Magazine Hot Restaurant List for July 2017," 18 July 2017

First Known Use of pastel

1884

pastel Synonyms

Synonyms

dull, dulled, faded, light, pale, washed-out, washy

Antonyms

dark, deep, gay, rich

Related Words

flat, lackluster, lusterless, matte (also mat or matt); dim, faint; dirty, muddy; achromatic, colorless, uncolored, undyed, unpainted, unstained; blanched, bleached, washed, white, whitened; gray (also grey), indistinct, neutral

Near Antonyms

bright, brilliant, vibrant, vivid; chromatic, colored, dyed, painted, stained, tinged, tinted; colorful, motley, multicolored, polychromatic, polychrome, prismatic, rainbow, varicolored, variegated; flashy, garish, gaudy, loud, showy, splashy

PASTEL Defined for English Language Learners

pastel

noun

Definition of pastel for English Language Learners

: a type of chalk made from a powdery substance that is used for drawing and comes in many different colors
: a drawing that is done using pastels
: a pale or light color

PASTEL Defined for Kids

pastel

noun pas·tel \ pa-ˈstel \

Definition of pastel for Students

1 :a soft pale color

2 :a crayon made by mixing ground coloring matter with a watery solution of a gum

3 :a drawing made with pastels

pastel

adjective

Definition of pastel for Students

1 :made with pastels

2 :light and pale in color

a pastel blouse

Learn More about pastel

See words that rhyme with pastel Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for pastel Spanish Central: Translation of pastel Nglish: Translation of pastel for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of pastel for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about pastel

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up pastel? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show

pastel

Definition of pastel

From the M-W Editors

Examples of pastel in a Sentence

Recent Examples of pastel from the Web

Origin and Etymology of pastel

pastel

Definition of pastel

Examples of pastel in a Sentence

Recent Examples of pastel from the Web

First Known Use of pastel

pastel Synonyms

Synonyms

Antonyms

Related Words

Near Antonyms

Phrases Related to PASTEL

Related Phrases

PASTEL Defined for English Language Learners

pastel

Definition of pastel for English Language Learners

PASTEL Defined for Kids

pastel

Definition of pastel for Students

pastel

Definition of pastel for Students

Learn More about pastel

Seen and Heard

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games

Learned Fools: On Names for Students

Trending: NY Times: Trump's Call Ignites 'Imbroglio'

The Exceptions Quiz III

17 English Words that Come From Japanese

Words of the Year: 1066