Library / English Dictionary

PASTEL

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 I. (noun) 

Sense 1

Meaning:

Any of various pale or light colors

Classified under:

Nouns denoting attributes of people and objects

Hypernyms ("pastel" is a kind of...):

chromatic color; chromatic colour; spectral color; spectral colour (a color that has hue)

Derivation:

pastel (delicate and pale in color)

 II. (adjective) 

Sense 1

Meaning:

Delicate and pale in color

Example:

pastel pink

Classified under:

Adjectives

Similar:

light; light-colored ((used of color) having a relatively small amount of coloring agent)

Derivation:

pastel (any of various pale or light colors)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Lacking in body or vigor

Example:

faded pastel charms of the naive music

Classified under:

Adjectives

Similar:

delicate (exquisitely fine and subtle and pleasing; susceptible to injury)

Credits