What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
pasty
Example
She looked pasty and ill after being stuck inside all day. [pasty: adjective]
Example
I bought a delicious chicken and mushroom pasty from the bakery. [pasty: noun]
Example
I used a pasty to glue the paper to the wall. [pasty: noun]
pale
Example
He looked pale and tired after staying up all night. [pale: adjective]
Example
I prefer to paint my walls in a pale blue color. [pale: adjective]
Example
She felt pale and dizzy after donating blood. [pale: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Pale is more commonly used than pasty in everyday language. Pale is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while pasty is less common and refers specifically to a sickly complexion or a type of pastry.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between pasty and pale?
Both pasty and pale can be used in both formal and informal contexts, but pale is more versatile and can be used in a wider range of situations.
