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   pale

   /peɪl/

   adjective

   • 1. light in colour or shade; containing little colour or pigment: "choose pale floral patterns for walls" Similar lightlight-colouredpastelneutrallight-tonedmutedsubtlesoftlow-keyrestrainedfadedbleacheddustywhitishwashed outinsipid
   • ▪ (of a person or their complexion) having less colour than usual, typically as a result of shock, fear, or ill health: "she looked pale and drawn" Similar whitepallidpastypasty-facedwancolourlessanaemicbloodlesswashed outpeakypeakishashenashen-facedashychalkychalk whitegreywhitishwhite-facedwhey-facedwaxenwaxyblancheddrainedpinchedgreenghastlysicklysallowas white as a sheetas white as a ghostdeathly palecadaverouscorpse-likelooking as if one had seen a ghostmilkycreamycreamivorymilk whitealabasterfairlight-skinnedfair-skinnedinformal:like death warmed uppeely-wallyrare:etiolatedlymphaticOpposite flushedrosy
   • ▪ (of a light) not strong or bright: "a pale dawn" Similar dimfaintweakfeeblethinwaterywanOpposite darkbright
   • 2. inferior or unimpressive: "the new cheese is a pale imitation of continental cheeses" Similar inferiorpoorfeebleweakinsipidwishy-washyvapidblandpunyflatinadequateineffectualineffectivehalf-heartedlametameuninspiredunimaginativelacklustrespiritlesslifelessanaemicbloodlessinformal:patheticrare:etiolated

   verb

   • 1. become pale in one's face from shock or fear: "I paled at the thought of what she might say" Similar go/turn whitegrow/turn/become paleblanchblenchlose colourwhitenlighten
   • 2. seem or become less important: "all else pales by comparison" Similar decrease in importancelose significancepale into insignificancefadedwindlediminishlessendimlose lustre

   Word Origin Middle English: from Old French pale, from Latin pallidus; the verb is from Old French palir.

   Derivatives

   • 1. palely adverb
   • 2. paleness noun
   • 3. palish adjective

   Scrabble Points: 6

   • P

     3

   • A

     1

   • L

     1

   • E

     1

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