pal
noun /pæl/
/pæl/
- (informal, becoming old-fashioned) a friend
- We've been pals for years.
Extra ExamplesTopics Family and relationshipsc2- She became quite good pals with the woman in the shop.
- Thanks—you're a real pal.
- (informal) used to address a man in an unfriendly way
- If you try to take what's mine, pal, I'll make you sorry!
Word Originlate 17th cent.: from Romany, ‘brother, mate’, based on Sanskrit bhrātṛ ‘brother’.