Definition of sallow
: any of several Old World broad-leaved willows (such as Salix caprea) including important sources of charcoal and tanbark
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Origin and Etymology of sallow
Middle English, from Old English sealh; akin to Old High German salha sallow, Latin salix willow
First Known Use: before 12th century
sallow
Definition of sallow
: of a grayish greenish yellow color
Examples of sallow in a sentence
he was still a bit sallow after a week spent in bed with the flu
Did You Know?
There is no hint of sickliness in the etymology of sallow. The word appears in Old English as salu or salo, and could mean "dusky" or "dark" or "grayish greenish yellow." Salu (or salo) is akin to Old English sōl ("dark, dirty"), Old High German salo ("murky, dirty gray"), Old Norse sölr ("dirty"), and even Sanskrit sāra or sāla, which carries the basic meaning of "dirty gray." Sallow, however, has for much of its history been used specifically to describe the skin or complexion of one who is unwell.
Origin and Etymology of sallow
Middle English salowe, from Old English salu; akin to Old High German salo murky, Russian solovyĭ yellowish gray
First Known Use: before 12th century
SALLOW Defined for English Language Learners
sallow
Definition of sallow for English Language Learners
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: slightly yellow in a way that does not look healthy
SALLOW Defined for Kids
sallow
playDefinition of sallow for Students
: slightly yellow in a way that does not look healthy His hair was short and wild …, his face starved and sallow with grief. — Louise Erdrich, The Birchbark House
Learn More about sallow
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Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for sallow Spanish Central: Translation of sallow Nglish: Translation of sallow for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of sallow for Arabic speakers
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