pale

I UK [peɪl] / US adjective
Word forms "pale":
adjective pale comparative paler superlative palest
***

1) light and not bright in colour

pale blue/yellow/green

a pale sky

2) a pale person has skin that is lighter than usual because they are ill, shocked, or worried

When he returned, he looked pale and weary.

3) less impressive or not as good as before or when compared with someone or something similar

a pale shadow:

He's become a pale shadow of his former self.

a pale imitation:

The squad had become a pale imitation of the team that defeated New Zealand.

•

pale blue/grey/pink etc — something that is pale blue/grey/pink etc is a lighter type of blue/grey/pink etc than usual

Derived word:
palely
adverb
II UK [peɪl] / US verb [intransitive]
Word forms "pale":
present tense I/you/we/they pale he/she/it pales present participle paling past tense paled past participle paled

1) if someone pales, or if their face pales, their skin becomes lighter because they are ill, shocked, or worried

Albert's face paled with fear.

2) to become lighter in colour

Birds began to sing as the sky paled into dawn.

3) to become less important or serious, especially when compared with someone or something else

pale in comparison to/with:

The devastating floods of two years ago pale in comparison with last week's storms.

pale into insignificance:

Her problems paled into insignificance when compared with this family's tragedy.