sallow

noun sal·low \ ˈsa-(ˌ)lō \

|Updated on: 9 Jul 2018

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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Recent Examples of sallow from the Web

Chiffchaffs and willow warblers sing in the sallow and alder, while every leaf seems to hold a butterfly or dragonfly or hoverfly.

— The Economist, "Brexit is reverberating in British literature," 5 July 2018
With hints of greens and blues beneath her sallow flesh, the girl looks sickly.

— Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "New England museums to visit this summer and fall," 4 July 2018

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

Origin and Etymology of sallow

Middle English, from Old English sealh; akin to Old High German salha sallow, Latin salix willow

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: before 12th century

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

Other Seed Plant Terms

aubergine, box, bramble, briar, composite, perpetual, pulse, trefoil

sallow

adjective

Definition of sallow

: of a grayish greenish yellow color

—

sallowish

play \ˈsa-lə-wish\ adjective

—

sallowness

play \ˈsa-lō-nəs, -lə-\ noun

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Examples of sallow in a Sentence

he was still a bit sallow after a week spent in bed with the flu

Recent Examples of sallow from the Web

At death’s door, Grey’s saved by a complete artificial overhaul, including the smartbug critter invented by the tech genius with the sallow complexion (Harrison Gilbertson, on what might be termed a Jared Leto summer internship).

— michael phillips, chicagotribune.com, "'Upgrade' review: Digital cockroaches replace human brains in this extremely gory thriller," 31 May 2018
Packer erases and etches into her father’s bare, sallow skin, making it worn and ravaged.

— cate mcquaid, BostonGlobe.com, "At the Rose, taking tenderness to unexpected places," 25 Apr. 2018
The lavender shade in L'Oréal Paris Cosmetics Infallible Total Cover Color Correcting Kit helps rid your skin of that not-so-cute sallow look.

— deanna pai, Redbook, "6 Tiny Beauty Steps That Make All the Difference," 19 May 2017
Kahn dispensed with the classic library layout: a central reading room with rows of desks and sallow lamp light.

— sara bliss, WSJ, "Why I Hated America’s Most Stunning Library—At First," 21 Sep. 2017
The lavender shade in L'Oréal Paris Cosmetics Infallible Total Cover Color Correcting Kit helps rid your skin of that not-so-cute sallow look.

— deanna pai, Redbook, "6 Tiny Beauty Steps That Make All the Difference," 19 May 2017

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.