pastel

1 of 2

noun

pas·​tel pa-ˈstel 

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

pastel

2 of 2

adjective

1

a

: of or relating to a pastel

b

: made with pastels

2

: pale and light in color

3

: lacking in body or vigor

Synonyms

Adjective

• pale
• faded
• light

Examples of pastel in a Sentence

Noun

She has a collection of pastels.

She prefers a pastel like light yellow.

The room is painted in a pastel shade of blue.

Adjective

a pastel blue to go with the pale pink walls

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Meanwhile, on Gran Roque, pastel facades peek through palm fronds, and barefoot locals steer wooden boats across glassy lagoons. —Lewis Nunn, Forbes.com, 8 Aug. 2025

Thanks to her colorful looks and love of pastels, Trine Kjaer’s Instagram account is literally eye candy. —Madeline Dangmann, Glamour, 7 Aug. 2025

Adjective

On Sunday night, a bystander filmed Dunn arguing with federal officers who had been dispatched to the intersection, then hurling a sandwich at one of them, then fleeing in his pastel polo and shorts. —David Weigel, semafor.com, 15 Aug. 2025

When the pastel mini totes launched in April, Trader Joe’s stores began setting out announcement signs a few weeks beforehand, toward the end of March. —Sophia Beams, Better Homes & Gardens, 15 Aug. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun

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

First Known Use

Noun

1612, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1884, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for pastel

• barbell
• bedwell
• befell
• bluebell
• bombshell
• bridewell
• capelle
• cartel
• carvel
• clamshell
• cogswell
• compel

Kids Definition

pastel

1 of 2 noun

pas·​tel pas-ˈtel 

1

a

: a paste made of ground color and used for making crayons

b

: a crayon of such paste

2

: a drawing in pastel

3

: any of various pale or light colors

pastel

2 of 2 adjective

1

: of, relating to, or made with pastels

2

: pale and light in color