1
a
: of or relating to a pastel
b
: made with pastels
2
: pale and light in color
3
: lacking in body or vigor
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
Ludovica Stevan, Architectural Digest, 5 Apr. 2026
As for the ornate headwear, seersucker suits, and profusion of pastels that usually accompany this horse race, well, that’s your call.
—Devra Ferst, Bon Appetit Magazine, 3 Apr. 2026
Jeffrey Steingarten, Vogue, 5 Apr. 2026
Soft pastel pink and black polka dots are a perfect match, and the chromatic shimmer finish adds a multidimensional edge.
—Kara Jillian Brown, InStyle, 4 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for pastel
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Noun
The space boasts largely black and white detailing, and a fantastical Glamora wallcovering adds depth behind the bed with subtle pastels (the guest bathroom has the same color scheme, albeit more graphic).
—Ludovica Stevan, Architectural Digest, 5 Apr. 2026
As for the ornate headwear, seersucker suits, and profusion of pastels that usually accompany this horse race, well, that’s your call.
—Devra Ferst, Bon Appetit Magazine, 3 Apr. 2026
Adjective
Araucana hens from South America lay eggs in lovely shades of pastel blues and greens.
—Jeffrey Steingarten, Vogue, 5 Apr. 2026
Soft pastel pink and black polka dots are a perfect match, and the chromatic shimmer finish adds a multidimensional edge.
—Kara Jillian Brown, InStyle, 4 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for pastel
Cite this Entry
“Pastel.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pastel. Accessed 8 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationKids 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 adjective1
: of, relating to, or made with pastels
2
: pale and light in color
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