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

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

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

See artists working in paint, printmaking, paper, pastels, textures, glass and more. —Luann Gibbs, The Enquirer, 6 Dec. 2024

Her wardrobe is full of floaty dresses, silhouettes that embrace her curves, a pretty palette of springtime pastels, and no shortage of hearts and sparkles. —Maggie Gillette, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 Dec. 2024

Adjective

With the use of garlands, DIY accents, pastel colors, and twinkle lights, her home is transformed into a whimsical winter wonderland. —Claire Hoppe Norgaard, Better Homes & Gardens, 12 Dec. 2024

Get a 48-pack of magnetic bookmarks featuring various landscapes or go simpler with this multi-color pack of bookmarks in beautiful pastel colors. —Christopher Murray, Fox News, 10 Dec. 2024

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

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