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

More recently, with a rise in the popularity of neutrals and pastels, a particular hue of blue is stealing the scene. —Rachel Gallaher, Robb Report, 8 Mar. 2025

Robinson says rich earth tones like terra-cotta and Pantone’s mocha mousse will replace idyllic pastels. —Annie Blay-Tettey, Allure, 7 Mar. 2025

Adjective

His historic Park Slope, Brooklyn, rental was already filled with souvenirs from his international work trips, like tribal masks and handmade rugs, which weren’t an obvious pairing for Belanger’s pastel sculptures of cake slices and ice cream cones. —Morgan Goldberg, Architectural Digest, 13 Mar. 2025

Specially Selected Spring Macarons For a little something sweet in a pinch, turn to these perfectly pastel macarons found in ALDI’s freezer section. —Abigail Wilt, Southern Living, 13 Mar. 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