What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
white
Example
The walls of the room were painted white. [white: adjective]
Example
She wore a white dress to the wedding. [white: noun]
Example
He turned white as a sheet when he heard the news. [white: adjective]
pale
Example
Her face turned pale when she saw the spider. [pale: adjective]
Example
He looked pale and tired after staying up all night. [pale: adjective]
Example
His excuse for being late was rather pale. [pale: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
White is more commonly used than pale in everyday language. White is a common color that is used in many different contexts, while pale is more limited in its usage and often used in specific situations.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between white and pale?
Both white and pale can be used in formal and informal contexts, but white is more versatile and can be used in a wider range of formality levels.
