Learn about the difference between the homophones: pail and pale

Definitions

pail

Pail is a noun that refers to a cylindrical container with a handle, used for carrying liquids.

Example

She filled the pail with water from the well.

Example

He carried the pail of milk carefully.

pale

Pale is an adjective that describes something light in color or lacking in intensity. It can also refer to a person's face appearing white or sickly.

Example

The walls were painted a pale blue.

Example

She looked pale and tired after the long journey.

Tips To Remember the Differences

Here are a few tips to easily distinguish the difference between these words while keeping in mind the description we've provided:

- To remember the difference between pail and pale, think of the letter 'i' in pail as representing the shape of the container, which is cylindrical. - The 'e' in pale can be associated with the word 'empty', which describes something lacking in color or intensity.