Definition

Having a light and soft color, often associated with shades that are not bright or intense.

Example

She chose a pastel blue for the walls of her bedroom.

Conversation

I just bought some new art supplies in pastel colors.

That sounds amazing! I love how soft and light they look.

Yeah, I can't wait to start painting with those pastel shades.

You should! They always give such a calming vibe to artwork.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Definition

A type of crayon made from powdered pigments and a binder, used for drawing, or a soft, light color often used in art and design.

Example

She created a beautiful drawing using pastel colors.

Conversation

I just bought some new pastel crayons for my art project.

That's awesome! I love using pastel colors; they make everything look softer.

I agree! I want to create a beautiful landscape with those pastel hues.

Root Explanation

**Pastel** → The word 'pastel' comes from the French *pastel*, which refers to a type of crayon made from powdered pigments and a binder. The term is derived from the Latin *pastellus*, meaning a small cake or paste, which relates to the soft, powdery texture of the material used in pastels. Thus, 'pastel' refers to a medium that has a soft, cake-like consistency used for drawing.

Memory Tip

Imagine a soft 'cake' ('pastellus') that you can use to create beautiful drawings. This helps you remember that 'pastel' refers to a soft medium for art.

Visually Confused Words