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-
Synonyms
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
Adam Tamburin, Axios, 4 Nov. 2024
Her daughter was breathing heavily, hunched over in pain, pale in the face.
—Lizzie Presser and Kavitha Surana, CNN, 3 Nov. 2024
Peter Rutzler, The Athletic, 19 Aug. 2024
The actual production of combat power pales in comparison to the political goal of gluing the United States to Europe, no matter what.
—Barry R. Posen, Foreign Affairs, 13 Feb. 2018
Tim Bajarin, Forbes, 21 Nov. 2024
How election betting compares to sports betting By the numbers: Election wagering still pales in comparison to sports betting.
—Sareen Habeshian, Axios, 1 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for pale 
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Adjective
Zoom out: Both totals pale in comparison to spending in swing states.
—Adam Tamburin, Axios, 4 Nov. 2024
Her daughter was breathing heavily, hunched over in pain, pale in the face.
—Lizzie Presser and Kavitha Surana, CNN, 3 Nov. 2024
Noun
Their matchday and commercial revenue pales in comparison.
—Peter Rutzler, The Athletic, 19 Aug. 2024
The actual production of combat power pales in comparison to the political goal of gluing the United States to Europe, no matter what.
—Barry R. Posen, Foreign Affairs, 13 Feb. 2018
Verb
As a market researcher who looks at data that points to major market trends and product potential, the outlook for foldable phones pales in comparison to traditional smartphones that sell over one billion units a year around the world.
—Tim Bajarin, Forbes, 21 Nov. 2024
How election betting compares to sports betting By the numbers: Election wagering still pales in comparison to sports betting.
—Sareen Habeshian, Axios, 1 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for pale
Articles Related to pale
Dictionary Entries Near pale
Cite this Entry
“Pale.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pale. Accessed 1 Dec. 2024.
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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