pale

1 of 5

adjective

ˈpāl 

paler; palest

1

a

: deficient in color or intensity of color : pallid

a pale complexion

b(1)

: having color of reduced saturation (see saturation sense 4a)

a pale pink

(2)

: light in color especially relative to others of its kind

pale beers

2

: not bright or brilliant : dim

a pale sun shining through the fog

3

: feeble, faint

a pale imitation

palely

ˈpāl-lē 

adverb

paleness

ˈpāl-nəs 

noun

palish

ˈpā-lish 

adjective

pale

2 of 5

verb (1)

paled; paling

intransitive verb

: to become pale

transitive verb

: to make pale

pale

3 of 5

noun

1

: an area or the limits within which one is privileged or protected (as from censure)

conduct that was beyond the pale

2

a

: a space or field having bounds : enclosure

The cattle were led into the pale.

b

: a territory or district within certain bounds or under a particular jurisdiction

British culture survived even within the Roman pale.

3

a

: one of the stakes of a palisade

b

: picket sense 1

4

: a perpendicular stripe on a heraldic shield

5

archaic : palisade, paling

pale

4 of 5

verb (2)

paled; paling

transitive verb

: to enclose with pales : fence

pale-

5 of 5

combining form

see paleo-

Synonyms

Adjective

• dull
• dulled
• faded
• light
• pastel
• washed-out
• washy

Verb (1)

• blanch
• bleach
• blench
• decolorize
• dull
• fade
• snow
• wash out
• whiten

Examples of pale in a Sentence

Adjective

the pale wood of the table

The walls were painted a pale blue.

She has a pale complexion.

Her illness had left her pale and weak.

She grew pale with fright.

Are you feeling well? You look pale.

the pale light of dawn

Verb (1)

the sun eventually paled my bright blue shirt

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

The 31-year-old pop superstar, nominated for Best Supporting Actress, arrived in a pale pink Schiaparelli ball gown covered in 190,000 sequins and rhinestones. —Dan Perry, Newsweek, 3 Mar. 2025

In a pale pink color, her gown was in line with the Method dressing she’s favored for various premieres and carpets. —Christian Allaire, Vogue, 2 Mar. 2025

Noun

Image Her paintings at times look schematic and labored, and in general pale beside the sculptures. —Deborah Solomon, New York Times, 13 Feb. 2025

Although Cunningham is shooting a respectable 35 percent from the floor, that mark pales in comparison to the other seven players in the competition. —Scott Phillips, The Athletic, 14 Feb. 2025

Verb

The volumes pale in comparison to energy project finance activity today. —Rob Day, Forbes, 20 Feb. 2025

But such progress pales in comparison to the steep recent declines seen in many other wealthy Western nations. —Benjamin Ryan, NBC News, 31 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English pale, paal, palle, borrowed from Anglo-French pale, palle, paille (also continental Old French), borrowed (with loss of unstressed -id-) from Latin pallidus "pale, colorless," formed with the adjective suffix -idus from the same base as pallēre "to be pale or bloodless, have a pale color," pallor "paleness of complexion, loss of color" — more at fallow entry 1

Verb (1)

Middle English palen, borrowed from Anglo-French palir (continental Old French palir, paloïr), going back (with conjugation change) to Latin pallēscere "to grow pale, turn a pale color," inchoative derivative of pallēre "to be pale or bloodless, have a pale color" — more at fallow entry 1

Noun and Verb (2)

Middle English, from Anglo-French pel, pal stake, from Latin palus — more at pole

First Known Use

Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb (1)

14th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Noun

12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 5

Verb (2)

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing pale

• beyond the pale
• India pale ale
• pale ale
• pale by comparison
• pale imitation
• pale in/by comparison to/with
• pale into insignificance

Rhymes for pale

• ail
• ale
• bail
• baile
• dail
• fail
• flail
• frail
• gael
• gail
• grail
• hail

Kids Definition

pale

1 of 3 adjective

ˈpā(ə)l 

paler; palest

1

a

: light in color or shade : not vivid

a pale pink

b

: not having the warm skin color of a person in good health : pallid

became pale

2

: not bright or brilliant : dim

pale sunshine

palely adverb

paleness noun

pale

2 of 3 verb

paled; paling

: to make or become pale

pale

3 of 3 noun

1

: a stake or picket of a fence

2

: an enclosed place

3

: territory within clearly marked bounds or under a particular authority

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English pale "lacking in color," from early French pale (same meaning), from Latin pallidus (same meaning), from pallēre "to be pale"

Noun

Middle English pale "paling, picket," from early French pal "stake," from Latin palus (same meaning) — related to travel see Word History at travel

Medical Definition

pale

adjective

ˈpā(ə)l 

paler; palest

: deficient in color or intensity of color

a pale face

paleness

-nəs 

noun