What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
whiter
Example
Her dress was whiter than snow. [whiter: comparative adjective]
Example
I used bleach to make the shirt whiter. [whiter: comparative adjective]
paler
Example
The flowers were paler than I expected. [paler: comparative adjective]
Example
She looked paler than usual after hearing the bad news. [paler: comparative adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Whiter is more commonly used than paler in everyday language, especially in advertising and marketing, as it is associated with brightness, cleanliness, and beauty. Paler is less common and more specific, often used to describe skin tone or complexion.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between whiter and paler?
Both whiter and paler are neutral in terms of formality and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
