Word forms: comparative paler, superlative palest, 3rd person singular presenttense pales, present participle paling, past tense, past participle paled
1. adjective
If something is pale, it is very light in colour or almost white.
Migrating birds filled the pale sky.
As we age, our skin becomes paler.
...a circle of pale light.
Pale is also a combining form.
...a pale-blue sailor dress.
In the background, dressed in pale green, stood Eunice.
Synonyms: light, soft, faded, subtle More Synonyms of pale
2. adjective [usually verb-link ADJECTIVE]
If someone looks pale, their face looks a lighter colour than usual, usually because they are ill, frightened, or shocked.
She looked pale and tired.
He went deathly pale.
Synonyms: white, pasty, bleached, washed-out More Synonyms of pale
palenessuncountable noun [oft with poss]
...his paleness when he realized that he was bleeding.
3. verb
If one thing pales in comparison with another, it is made to seem much less important, serious, or good by it.
When someone you love has a life-threatening illness, everything else pales in comparison. [VERB]
...a soap opera against which other soaps pale into insignificance. [VERB preposition]
4.
See beyond the pale
More Synonyms of pale
pale in British English1
(peɪl)
adjective
1.
lacking brightness of colour; whitish
pale morning light
2.
(of a colour) whitish; produced by a relatively small quantity of colouring agent
3.
dim or wan
the pale stars
4.
feeble
a pale effort
5. South Africa a euphemism for White1
verb
6.
to make or become pale or paler; blanch
7. (intransitive; often foll bybefore)
to lose superiority or importance (in comparison to)
Cameron's achievements paled beside Holly's
Derived forms
palely (ˈpalely)
adverb
paleness (ˈpaleness)
noun
Word origin
C13: from Old French palle, from Latin pallidus pale, from pallēre to look wan
pale in British English2
(peɪl)
noun
1.
a wooden post or strip used as an upright member in a fence
2.
an enclosing barrier, esp a fence made of pales
3.
an area enclosed by a pale
4.
a sphere of activity within which certain restrictions are applied
5. heraldry
an ordinary consisting of a vertical stripe, usually in the centre of a shield
6. beyond the pale
verb
7. (transitive)
to enclose with pales
Word origin
C14: from Old French pal, from Latin pālus stake; compare pole1
pale in American English1
(peɪl)
adjectiveWord forms: ˈpaler or ˈpalest
1.
of a whitish or colorless complexion; pallid; wan
2.
lacking intensity or brilliance
said of color, light, etc.; faint; dim
3.
feeble; weak
a pale imitation
verb intransitiveWord forms: paled or ˈpaling
4.
to become pale
5.
to seem weaker or less important
verb transitive
6.
to make pale
SYNONYMY NOTE: pale1, in this comparison the least connotative of these words, implies merely an unnaturalwhiteness or colorlessness, often temporary, of the complexion; , pallid suggests a paleness resulting from exhaustion, faintness, emotional strain, etc.;, wan1 suggests the paleness resulting from an emaciating illness; , ashen1 implies the grayish paleness of the skin as in death; , livid refers to a grayish-blue (or now, sometimes, white) complexion, as of one in greatrage or fear
OPPOSITES: ruddy, rosy
Derived forms
palely (ˈpalely)
adverb
paleness (ˈpaleness)
noun
Word origin
OFr < L pallidus, pale: see fallow2
pale in American English2
(peɪl)
noun
1.
a narrow, upright, pointed stake used in fences; picket
2.
a fence; enclosure; boundary; restriction
now chiefly figurative
outside the pale of the law, beyond the pale (of respectability)
3.
a territory or district enclosed within bounds
4. Botany
a chaffy bract or scale; esp., a bract at the base of a floret of a composite flower
5. Heraldry
a vertical band forming the middle third of a shield
Word origin
ME < MFr pal < L palus, a stake < IE base *pak-, to fasten (as by ramming into the ground) > Gr passalos, a peg, stake, L pax, peace
pale- in American English
(ˈpeɪli)
paleo-
used before a vowel
More idioms containing
pale
beyond the pale
Examples of 'pale' in a sentence
pale
The gills are white and the cap is usually a pale green colour.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Light and fresh with hints of moreish green apple and pale peppers.
The Sun (2016)
They suit pale skin and dark hair best.
The Sun (2016)
The pale colouring makes it useful for lighting up dark corners in partial to full shade.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Increase to medium, whisk three minutes until mixture is a pale colour.
The Sun (2016)
Plant in full sun or partial shade, and look out for this pure white strain in preference to the pale pink variety.
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
It pales into insignificance when you consider what the world's biggest race at Aintree offers.
The Sun (2016)
The highly fragrant flowers open in a pale pink from deep pink buds throughout January and February.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
The white walls are mixed with panels of pale blue.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
She looked deathly pale but there was no sign of blood.
Paige, Frances The Glasgow Girls (1994)
So pale you could almost see through him.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
When the sun rose its light was pale and the air was dusty and dark.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
The landscape is reduced to a uniform pale tan colour.
Richard Fortey THE EARTH: An Intimate History (2004)
Young ash trees are also acquiring a pale yellow look.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
The key elements are a pale face and false eyelashes.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
The females are brown with a pale pink flush beneath.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
The team was a very pale imitation of the defensive powerhouse it used to be.
The Sun (2009)
Skin can be paler in the winter months so your normal foundation may be too dark.
The Sun (2012)
Whisk together the eggs and sugar until they become pale and thick.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
These factors are serious enough but they pale into insignificance compared to funding arrangements.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
Human forms looked big and heavy against the deathly pale gray.
Clerk, Jayana & Siegel, Ruth Modern Literatures of the Non-Western World: Where the Waters Are Born (1995)
She looked almost pale and as if she were excited about something.
Frances Hodgson Burnett Little Lord Fauntleroy (1886)
Beat the butter and sugar in another mixing bowl until pale and light.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
Process it until the sorbet turns a uniformly paler colour and increases in volume.
Bennett, Carol Asthma and Eczema - special diet cookbook (1989)
An added bonus is that pale tones make the lips look bigger while darker colours can make thin lips appear thinner.
The Sun (2010)
It makes me look less pale.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
Why so pale and wan, fond lover?
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
Open to the rafters, it has pale wooden flooring and a mezzanine bedroom.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
The primary is a golden yellow, in contrast to the pale blue of the companion.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
They won't last as long as bamboo but they will be much less pale and conspicuous.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
Everything else pales into insignificance.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
Word lists with
pale
heraldry
In other languages
pale
British English: pale /peɪl/ ADJECTIVE
Something that is pale is not strong or bright in colour.
...pale blue.
American English: pale
Arabic: شَاحِبٌ
Brazilian Portuguese: pálido
Chinese: 苍白的
Croatian: blijed
Czech: bledý
Danish: bleg
Dutch: bleek
European Spanish: pálido
Finnish: kalpea
French: pâle
German: blass
Greek: χλωμός
Italian: pallido
Japanese: 薄い 住居
Korean: 연한
Norwegian: blek
Polish: blady
European Portuguese: pálido
Romanian: pal
Russian: бледный
Latin American Spanish: pálido
Swedish: blek
Thai: ซีดเผือด
Turkish: soluk
Ukrainian: блідий
Vietnamese: tái nhợt
British English: pale VERB
If one thing pales in comparison with another, it is made to seem much less important, serious, or good by it.
When someone you love has a life-threatening illness, everything else pales in comparison.
pale blue/pink/green淡蓝(藍)色/粉红(紅)色/绿(綠)色 (dàn lánsè/fěnhóngsè/lǜsè)
to grow or turn or go pale变(變)得苍(蒼)白 (biàn de cāngbái)
to pale into insignificance (beside sth)(与(與)某事比)微不足道 ((yǔ mǒushì bǐ) wēi bù zú dào)
All related terms of 'pale'
beyond the pale
越轨(軌)的 yuèguǐ de
pale blue/pink/green
淡蓝(藍)色/粉红(紅)色/绿(綠)色 dàn lánsè/fěnhóngsè/lǜsè
to go pale/mouldy/bald
变(變)得苍(蒼)白/发(發)霉(黴)/秃(禿)顶(頂) biàn de cāngbái/fāméi/tūdǐng
to grow or turn or go pale
变(變)得苍(蒼)白 biàn de cāngbái
open
( unfastened, unsealed : door, window ) 开(開)着(著)的 kāizhe de ⇒ He climbed through the open window. → 他从开着的窗户中爬了进来。 Tā cóng kāizhe de chuānghù zhōng pále jìnlái. ( container ) 打开(開)的 dǎkāi de ⇒ an open packet of cigarettes → 一包打开的香烟 yī bāo dǎkāi de xiāngyān ( mouth, eyes ) 张(張)着(著)的 zhāngzhe de ⇒ Angelica looked at me with her mouth open. → 安吉莉卡张着嘴看着我。 Ānjílìkǎ zhāngzhe zuǐ kànzhe wǒ.
to pale into insignificance (beside sth)
(与(與)某事比)微不足道 (yǔ mǒushì bǐ) wēi bù zú dào
Additional synonyms
in the sense of pasty
Definition
(of the complexion) pale and unhealthy-looking
My complexion remained pale and pasty.
Synonyms
pale,
unhealthy,
wan,
sickly,
pallid,
anaemic,
sallow,
like death warmed up (informal),
wheyfaced
in the sense of pathetic
Definition
distressingly inadequate
That's the most pathetic excuse I've ever heard.
Synonyms
inadequate,
useless,
feeble,
poor,
sorry,
wet (British, informal),
pants (informal),
miserable,
petty,
worthless,
meagre,
pitiful,
woeful,
deplorable,
lamentable,
trashy,
measly (informal),
crummy (slang),
crappy (slang),
rubbishy,
poxy (slang),
wanky (taboo, slang),
chickenshit (US, slang)
in the sense of picket
Definition
a pointed stake that is driven into the ground to support a fence
The area was fenced in with pickets to keep out the animals.
Synonyms
stake,
post,
pale,
paling,
peg,
upright,
palisade,
stanchion
in the sense of railing
Definition
a fence made of rails supported by posts
the iron railings of the convent grounds
Synonyms
fence,
rails,
barrier,
paling,
balustrade
in the sense of region
Definition
an area considered as a unit for geographical or social reasons
a remote mountain region
Synonyms
area,
country,
place,
part,
land,
quarter,
division,
section,
sector,
district,
territory,
zone,
province,
patch,
turf (slang),
tract,
expanse,
locality
in the sense of sallow
Definition
(of human skin) of an unhealthy pale or yellowish colour
His face was sallow and shiny with sweat.
Synonyms
wan,
pale,
sickly,
pasty,
pallid,
unhealthy,
yellowish,
anaemic,
bilious,
jaundiced-looking,
peely-wally (Scottish)
in the sense of soft
Definition
(of light or colour) not excessively bright or harsh
The room was tempered by the soft colours.
Synonyms
pale,
light,
subdued,
pastel,
pleasing,
bland,
mellow
in the sense of stake
Definition
a stick or metal bar driven into the ground as part of a fence or as a support or marker
Drive in a stake before planting the tree.
Synonyms
pole,
post,
spike,
stick,
pale,
paling,
picket,
stave,
palisade
in the sense of subtle
Definition
(of a colour, taste, or smell) delicate or faint
subtle shades of brown
Synonyms
muted,
soft,
faint,
subdued,
low-key,
toned down
in the sense of territory
Definition
the geographical area under the control of a particular government
They deny that any of their territory is under rebel control.
Synonyms
district,
area,
land,
region,
state,
country,
sector,
zone,
province,
patch,
turf (slang),
domain,
terrain,
tract,
bailiwick
Synonyms of 'pale'
pale
Explore 'pale' in the dictionary
Additional synonyms
in the sense of thin
Definition
(of a voice) high-pitched and not very loud
Her thin voice rose high in complaint.
Synonyms
weak,
faint,
feeble,
small,
low,
soft,
high-pitched,
reedy
in the sense of wan
The lamp cast a wan light through the swirls of fog.
Synonyms
dim,
weak,
pale,
faint,
feeble
in the sense of wan
Definition
very pale, as a result of illness or unhappiness
He looked wan and tired.
Synonyms
pale,
white,
washed out,
pasty,
faded,
bleached,
ghastly,
sickly,
bloodless,
colourless,
pallid,
anaemic,
discoloured,
ashen,
sallow,
whitish,
cadaverous,
waxen,
like death warmed up (informal),
wheyfaced
in the sense of watery
Definition
insipid, thin, or weak
A watery light began to show through the branches.
Synonyms
pale,
thin,
weak,
faint,
feeble,
washed-out,
wan,
colourless,
anaemic,
insipid,
wishy-washy (informal)
in the sense of weak
Definition
lacking strength or power
The light was so weak we could barely see anything
Synonyms
dim,
pale,
faint,
muted,
feeble,
dull,
wan
in the sense of weak
Definition
(of a part of the body) not functioning as well as is normal
His eyesight had always been weak.
Synonyms
deficient,
wanting,
poor,
lacking,
inadequate,
pathetic,
faulty,
substandard,
under-strength
in the sense of whiten
Definition
to make or become white or whiter
His face whitened as he heard the news.
Synonyms
pale,
blanch,
go white,
turn pale,
blench,
fade,
etiolate
1 (adjective)
Definition
(of a colour) whitish and not very strong
a pale blue dress
Synonyms
light
The walls are light in colour.
soft
The room was tempered by the soft colours.
faded
a girl in a faded dress
subtle
subtle shades of brown
muted
He likes sober muted colours.
bleached
Her hair was bleached blonde.
pastel
pretty pastel shades
light-coloured
2 (adjective)
Definition
lacking brightness or colour
A pale light seeped through the window.
Synonyms
dim
She stood waiting in the dim light.
weak
The light was so weak we could barely see anything
faint
He became aware of the soft, faint sounds of water dripping.
feeble
While I was ill I was too feeble to even stand.
thin
Her thin voice rose high in complaint.
wan
The lamp cast a wan light through the swirls of fog.
watery
A watery light began to show through the branches.
3 (adjective)
Definition
(of a complexion) having a whitish appearance, usually because of illness, shock, or fear
She looked pale and tired.
Synonyms
white
He turned white and began to stammer.
pasty
My complexion remained pale and pasty.
bleached
washed-out
wan
He looked wan and tired.
bloodless
Her face was grey and bloodless.
colourless
Her face was colourless, and she was shaking.
pallid
His thin, pallid face broke into a smile.
anaemic
Losing a lot of blood makes you tired and anaemic.
ashen
He fell back, shocked, his face ashen.
sallow
His face was sallow and shiny with sweat.
whitish
ashy
like death warmed up (informal)
Opposites
glowing
,
blooming
,
flushed
,
ruddy
,
sanguine
,
florid
,
rosy-cheeked
,
rubicund
4 (adjective)
a pale imitation of the real thing
Synonyms
poor
poor wages and terrible working conditions
A poor crop has sent vegetable prices spiralling.
weak
His eyesight had always been weak.
inadequate
She felt quite painfully inadequate in the crisis.
pathetic
That's the most pathetic excuse I've ever heard.
feeble
This is a feeble argument.
1 (verb)
My problems paled in comparison with his.
Synonyms
fade
All colour fades, especially under the impact of direct sunlight.
dull
diminish
Federalism is intended to diminish the power of the central state.
decrease
The medication is said to decrease the risk of heart attack.
dim
Dim the overhead lights.
lessen
The burden will lessen if you ask someone for help.
grow dull
lose lustre
2 (verb)
Definition
to become pale or paler
Her face paled at the news.
Synonyms
become pale
blanch
She felt herself blanch at the unpleasant memories.
whiten
His face whitened as he heard the news.
go white
lose colour
1 (noun)
Definition
a wooden post used in fences
the pales of the fence
Synonyms
post
Eight wooden posts were driven into the ground.
stake
Drive in a stake before planting the tree.
paling
upright
picket
The area was fenced in with pickets to keep out the animals.
slat
palisade
2 (noun)
Definition
a fence made of pales
Synonyms
barrier
The demonstrators broke through the heavy police barriers.
railing
the iron railings of the convent grounds
fence
They climbed over the fence into the field.
barricade
Large areas of the city have been closed off by barricades.
palisade
a stout wooden palisade enclosing the yard
3 (noun)
Definition
a boundary
Synonyms
boundary
the western boundary of the wood
limits
region
a remote mountain region
border
Clifford is enjoying life north of the border.
district
I drove around the business district.
territory
They deny that any of their territory is under rebel control.
bounds
confines
idiom
See beyond the pale
Additional synonyms
in the sense of anaemic
Definition
pale and sickly-looking
Losing a lot of blood makes you tired and anaemic.
Synonyms
pale,
weak,
dull,
frail,
feeble,
wan,
sickly,
bloodless,
colourless,
infirm,
pallid,
ashen,
characterless,
enervated,
like death warmed up (informal)
in the sense of ashen
Definition
pale with shock
He fell back, shocked, his face ashen.
Synonyms
pale,
white,
grey,
wan,
livid,
pasty,
leaden,
colourless,
pallid,
anaemic,
ashy,
like death warmed up (informal)
in the sense of barricade
Definition
a barrier, esp. one erected hastily for defence
Large areas of the city have been closed off by barricades.
Synonyms
barrier,
wall,
railing,
fence,
blockade,
obstruction,
rampart,
fortification,
bulwark,
palisade,
stockade
Additional synonyms
in the sense of blanch
Definition
to become pale, as with sickness or fear
She felt herself blanch at the unpleasant memories.
Synonyms
turn pale,
fade,
pale,
drain,
bleach,
wan,
whiten,
go white,
become pallid,
become or grow white
in the sense of bleached
Her hair was bleached blonde.
Synonyms
whitened,
faded,
lightened,
washed-out,
etiolated (formal),
stone-washed,
peroxided,
achromatic
in the sense of bloodless
Definition
anaemic-looking
Her face was grey and bloodless.
Synonyms
pale,
white,
wan,
sickly,
pasty,
colourless,
pallid,
anaemic,
ashen,
chalky,
sallow,
ashy,
like death warmed up (informal)
in the sense of border
Definition
the dividing line between political or geographic regions
Clifford is enjoying life north of the border.
Synonyms
frontier,
line,
marches,
limit,
bounds,
boundary,
perimeter,
borderline,
borderland
in the sense of colourless
Definition
grey or pallid in tone or hue
Her face was colourless, and she was shaking.
Synonyms
ashen,
washed out,
wan,
sickly,
anaemic
in the sense of decrease
Definition
to make or become less in size, strength, or quantity
The medication is said to decrease the risk of heart attack.
Synonyms
reduce,
cut,
lower,
contract,
depress,
moderate,
weaken,
diminish,
turn down,
slow down,
cut down,
shorten,
dilute,
impair,
lessen,
curtail,
wind down,
abate,
tone down,
truncate,
abridge,
downsize
in the sense of diminish
Definition
to make or become smaller, fewer, or less
Federalism is intended to diminish the power of the central state.
Synonyms
reduce,
cut,
decrease,
lessen,
contract,
lower,
weaken,
curtail,
abate,
retrench,
disempower
in the sense of district
Definition
an area which has recognizable or special features
I drove around the business district.
Synonyms
area,
community,
region,
sector,
quarter,
ward,
parish,
neighbourhood,
vicinity,
locality,
locale,
neck of the woods (informal)
in the sense of dull
Definition
to make or become dull
Synonyms
cloud,
fade,
stain,
obscure,
dim,
darken,
tarnish,
sully
in the sense of faded
a girl in a faded dress
Synonyms
discoloured,
pale,
bleached,
washed out,
dull,
dim,
indistinct,
etiolated (formal),
lustreless
Additional synonyms
in the sense of faint
Definition
lacking clarity, brightness, or volume
He became aware of the soft, faint sounds of water dripping.
Synonyms
dim,
low,
light,
soft,
thin,
faded,
whispered,
distant,
dull,
delicate,
vague,
unclear,
muted,
subdued,
faltering,
hushed,
bleached,
feeble,
indefinite,
muffled,
hazy,
ill-defined,
indistinct
in the sense of feeble
Definition
lacking in physical or mental strength
While I was ill I was too feeble to even stand.
Synonyms
weak,
failing,
exhausted,
weakened,
delicate,
faint,
powerless,
frail,
debilitated,
sickly,
languid,
puny,
weedy (informal),
infirm,
effete,
enfeebled,
doddering,
enervated,
etiolated,
shilpit (Scottish)
in the sense of feeble
Definition
not effective or convincing
This is a feeble argument.
Synonyms
unconvincing,
poor,
thin,
weak,
slight,
tame,
pathetic,
lame,
flimsy,
paltry,
flat
in the sense of fence
Definition
a barrier that encloses an area such as a garden or field, usually made of posts connected by wire rails or boards
They climbed over the fence into the field.
Synonyms
barrier,
wall,
defence,
guard,
railings,
paling,
shield,
hedge,
barricade,
hedgerow,
rampart,
palisade,
stockade,
barbed wire
in the sense of inadequate
Definition
not good enough
She felt quite painfully inadequate in the crisis.
Synonyms
incapable,
incompetent,
ineffective,
weak,
pathetic,
faulty,
unfitted,
unfit,
defective,
unequal,
inept,
deficient,
imperfect,
unqualified,
not up to scratch (informal),
inexpert,
inapt,
found wanting
in the sense of lessen
Definition
to make or become less
The burden will lessen if you ask someone for help.