pale

pale · adjective

imported

Definitions

adjective

  1. 1.

    Light in color; not bright or intense.

  2. 2.

    To become pale; to lose color or significance.

  3. 3.

    (historical) A wooden stake used in fencing; a boundary.

  4. 4.

    Having less color than usual in the face, often due to illness or shock.

Phrases & expressions

  • •
    beyond the pale — outside the bounds of acceptable behavior
  • •
    pale in comparison — to seem less important or impressive when compared

Related words

Antonyms: bright, dark, flushed, vivid
See also: faint, light, pallid, wan
Synonyms: faint, light, pallid, wan

Etymology

From Latin pallidus ("pale"), from pallere ("to be pale"). The noun meaning "stake" is from Latin palus.