pastel

1 of 2

noun

pas·​tel pa-ˈstel 

1

: a paste made of powdered pigment ranging from pale to deep colors and used for making crayons

also : a crayon made of such paste

2

a

: a drawing in pastel

b

: the process or art of drawing with pastels

3

: a light literary sketch

4

: any of various pale or light colors

pastel

2 of 2

adjective

1

a

: of or relating to a pastel

b

: made with pastels

2

: pale and light in color

3

: lacking in body or vigor

Synonyms

Adjective

• dull
• dulled
• faded
• light
• pale
• washed-out
• washy

Examples of pastel in a Sentence

Noun

She has a collection of pastels.

She prefers a pastel like light yellow.

The room is painted in a pastel shade of blue.

Adjective

a pastel blue to go with the pale pink walls

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

For her 2023 appearance, Palmer wore a strapless pastel pink, blue and white Sergio Hudson tweed gown. —Starr Bowenbank, People.com, 6 May 2025

Following some appearances at pre-parties leading up to the official day, the 18-year-old Kentucky Derby fixture made her arrival for the event’s celebration wearing an ethereal pastel blue off-the-shoulder gown by American eveningwear brand Mac Duggal. —Wwd Staff, Footwear News, 4 May 2025

Adjective

Draped in white and pastel colors, attendees enjoyed a day of healing as flowers by Fenty Beauty and photos of the lives lost lined the building in Atlanta. —Michael Saponara, Billboard, 6 May 2025

Lupita Nyong'o Lupita Nyong'o shines in a pastel blue Chanel number with a mini bolero hat. —Brendan Le, People.com, 6 May 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun

French, from Italian pastello, from Late Latin pastellus woad, from diminutive of pasta

First Known Use

Noun

1612, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1884, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for pastel

• barbell
• bedwell
• befell
• bluebell
• bombshell
• bridewell
• capelle
• cartel
• carvel
• clamshell
• cogswell
• compel

Kids Definition

pastel

1 of 2 noun

pas·​tel pas-ˈtel 

1

a

: a paste made of ground color and used for making crayons

b

: a crayon of such paste

2

: a drawing in pastel

3

: any of various pale or light colors

pastel

2 of 2 adjective

1

: of, relating to, or made with pastels

2

: pale and light in color