Words / A2

PAYL/peɪl/

Pale means light in colour, or white in the face from illness or fear: pale blue, look pale, a pale sky. Light is a cousin for colours. Dark is an opposite for colours. Pal is informal for friend — different word. Do not write pale when you mean pail (bucket), or peel.

Meaning

Light in colour; also looking white because you are ill or scared.

Examples

• “She looked pale after the long flight.”
• “You look pale — do you need some water?”
• “The walls are pale green, not bright green.”

Good to know

pale blue / look pale. Colour opposite: dark. Mix-ups: pal, pail.

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