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
Brian Westover, PCMAG, 7 Nov. 2024
Other symptoms of anemia include fatigue, weakness, rapid heart rate, and pale skin.2829
Hyperthyroidism: An overactive thyroid gland produces too much thyroid hormone, increasing metabolism and heart rate.
—Lindsay Curtis, Health, 5 Nov. 2024
Barry R. Posen, Foreign Affairs, 13 Feb. 2018
Still, Lowe said his peak celebrity pales in comparison to the stratospheric fame juggled by the likes of Swift.
—Elizabeth Leonard, People.com, 14 Oct. 2024
Tom Sanderson, Forbes, 25 Oct. 2024
But, according to temperance advocates, that paled in comparison to the danger posed by pregnant white women who drank.
—Elizabeth Marshall / Made By History, TIME, 23 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for pale 
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Adjective
That same pale green appears on the metal parts of the bundled Magic Keyboard and Magic Mouse.
—Brian Westover, PCMAG, 7 Nov. 2024
Other symptoms of anemia include fatigue, weakness, rapid heart rate, and pale skin.2829
Hyperthyroidism: An overactive thyroid gland produces too much thyroid hormone, increasing metabolism and heart rate.
—Lindsay Curtis, Health, 5 Nov. 2024
Noun
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
Still, Lowe said his peak celebrity pales in comparison to the stratospheric fame juggled by the likes of Swift.
—Elizabeth Leonard, People.com, 14 Oct. 2024
Verb
All this amounts to 17 goal contributions, yet pales in comparison to what the trio's Blaugrana counterparts are currently coming up with.
—Tom Sanderson, Forbes, 25 Oct. 2024
But, according to temperance advocates, that paled in comparison to the danger posed by pregnant white women who drank.
—Elizabeth Marshall / Made By History, TIME, 23 Oct. 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 22 Nov. 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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