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
paled; paling
: to become pale
: to make pale
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
4
: a perpendicular stripe on a heraldic shield
see paleo-
Word Icons
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
Elizabeth Fogarty, Better Homes & Gardens, 28 Oct. 2025
Its legs are a similar pale yellow color covered with irregular black and dark-brown markings, according to Omelko.
—Lauren Liebhaber, Miami Herald, 28 Oct. 2025
Christa Carmen, PEOPLE, 25 Oct. 2025
And for those who do manage to build a large emergency fund, the balance often pales in comparison to what a common medical procedure could cost, Volk said.
—Berkeley Lovelace Jr, NBC news, 22 Oct. 2025
Jordan Smith, IndyStar, 23 Oct. 2025
The 2015 defense pales to no one.
—Troy Renck, Denver Post, 18 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pale
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Adjective
Add the white and pale green scallion pieces, cooking and stirring occasionally until the scallions are slightly charred, about 3 minutes.
—Elizabeth Fogarty, Better Homes & Gardens, 28 Oct. 2025
Its legs are a similar pale yellow color covered with irregular black and dark-brown markings, according to Omelko.
—Lauren Liebhaber, Miami Herald, 28 Oct. 2025
Verb
As my daughter’s face paled, and a man in a clown mask stalked the aisles, panic seized my limbs.
—Christa Carmen, PEOPLE, 25 Oct. 2025
And for those who do manage to build a large emergency fund, the balance often pales in comparison to what a common medical procedure could cost, Volk said.
—Berkeley Lovelace Jr, NBC news, 22 Oct. 2025
Noun
Daily IndyGo ridership on Route 8, which travels the same path, pales in comparison.
—Jordan Smith, IndyStar, 23 Oct. 2025
The 2015 defense pales to no one.
—Troy Renck, Denver Post, 18 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pale
Cite this Entry
“Pale.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pale. Accessed 30 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
pale
2 of 3 verb
paled; paling
: to make or become pale
pale
3 of 3 noun1
: 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
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