1 pastel | Definition of pastel

pastel

noun
pas·​tel | \ pa-ˈstel How to pronounce pastel (audio) \

Definition of pastel

 (Entry 1 of 2)

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
2a : 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

adjective

Definition of pastel (Entry 2 of 2)

1a : of or relating to a pastel
b : made with pastels
2 : pale and light in color
3 : lacking in body or vigor

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Synonyms & Antonyms for pastel

Synonyms: Adjective

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

Antonyms: Adjective

dark, deep, gay, rich

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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
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Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

Works of area artist Kimberly-Ann Talbert, including watercolors, acrylics, pastel, mixed media and photography will be on display at the La Cañada Flintridge Library , 4545 Oakwood Ave., La Cañada. La Cañada Valley Sun, "La Cañada area events," 3 Sep. 2019 Cue the blood… and the pastels, aerobics classes, big hair, and so much more, because this season is set in the ’80s after all. Tim Stack, EW.com, "Watch the bloody first trailer for the slasher movie-inspired AHS: 1984," 26 Aug. 2019 Take Halle Berry in 2003, who slipped on one of her best red carpet looks to date, a pastel blue number with form-hugging ruching in all the right places. Christian Allaire, Vogue, "The Best Golden Globes Dresses of All Time," 4 Jan. 2019 The pastels are then translated into the oil paintings. San Diego Union-Tribune, "A the Lux Art Institute, Carolyn Case seeing what sticks," 9 July 2019 Use a sponge to dab on some pastels for a watercolor-meets-tie-dye vibe. Kelsey Stiegman, Seventeen, "25 Homecoming Nail Ideas That'll Help You Stand Out," 25 June 2019 Surprisingly un-greasy were the app-sized beef pastels. Amy Drew Thompson, orlandosentinel.com, "Hocca, at the Florida Mall, is full of (hot, Brazilian) bologna | Review," 19 June 2019 Once the cookies take shape, dress 'em up with with pastel frosting, sprinkles, and candies. The Good Housekeeping Test Kitchen, Good Housekeeping, "Easy Vanilla Sugar Cookies That'll Bring Spring Cheer to Your Holiday Table," 27 Mar. 2019 The massive play space is part of the second such space from Shanghai studio X+Living, which introduced this pastel-hued restaurant-meets-playground last year. Liz Stinson, Curbed, "Feast your eyes on this next-level indoor park," 14 Aug. 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective

Torno Subito, a pastel playground of teals, yellows, and pinks, feels like those '60s Fun In The Sun Annette Funicello movies exploded. Amanda Mitchell, Marie Claire, "The Instagram Guide to Dubai," 27 Aug. 2019 In stark contrast, this album rollout arrived with a dreamy, sparkling, pastel palette that Swift splashed across Instagram. Emily Yahr, Washington Post, "Taylor Swift’s ‘Lover’: A track-by-track breakdown, from coded lyrics to Leonardo DiCaprio and Drake references," 23 Aug. 2019 In some areas, pastel-colored, historic shophouse rows stood in stark contrast to the surrounding modern buildings with their stunning architectural designs. Doug Hansen, chicagotribune.com, "Beautifully modern Singapore," 20 Aug. 2019 For boutique bargains: Divan Bodrum Divan Bodrum, on the northern tip of Türkbükü, exudes an easy trendiness that belies its affordability and its 60 rooms are decorated in soothing pastel tones. Chris Leadbeater, National Geographic, "Discover Turkey’s under-the-radar seaside paradise," 14 Aug. 2019 That was my America right there: pastel greenish-brown of grass furring the rolling hills. Colin Barrett, Harper's magazine, "“Just Keep Going North”," 5 July 2019 Over the next 22 years, Wick created 1,247 pastel paintings — most of them landscapes — and entered numerous juried art shows. Ginger Brashinger, Daily Southtown, "McCord Gallery show celebrates art teachers in transition," 16 May 2018 Now the pastel paints on the buildings are peeling. New York Times, "At Mao’s Beach, China’s Leaders Still Make History as Lifeguards Hide From the Sun," 22 Aug. 2019 Now the pastel paints on the buildings are peeling. Jane Perlez, BostonGlobe.com, "At Mao’s beach, China’s leaders still make history as lifeguards hide from the sun," 22 Aug. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'pastel.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of pastel

Noun

1612, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1884, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

History and Etymology for pastel

Noun

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

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More Definitions for pastel

pastel

noun

English Language Learners Definition of pastel

: a type of chalk made from a powdery substance that is used for drawing and comes in many different colors
: a drawing that is done using pastels
: a pale or light color

pastel

noun
pas·​tel | \ pa-ˈstel How to pronounce pastel (audio) \

Kids Definition of pastel

 (Entry 1 of 2)

1 : a soft pale color
2 : a crayon made by mixing ground coloring matter with a watery solution of a gum
3 : a drawing made with pastels

pastel

adjective

Kids Definition of pastel (Entry 2 of 2)

1 : made with pastels
2