pallid

IPA/ˈpælɪd/
KK[pˈæləd]IPA/ˈpælɪd/

pallid — adjective

  • pallidpositive
  • more pallidcomparative
  • most pallidsuperlative

1. describes a person's face or skin that is so pale it appears unhealthy, as if th

1.形容詞B2
釋義

describes a person's face or skin that is so pale it appears unhealthy, as if they are ill, shocked, or extremely tired.

例句

Layla's face was pallid after she heard the bad news, and her hands were cold.

be + pallid after [event]

The nurse noticed that the old man's skin looked pallid and immediately called a doctor.

look + pallid

同義詞
  • pale

    neutral, everyday word for light-coloured skin; pallid adds a stronger sense of illness

  • wan

    suggests a sickly, weak paleness, often with a hint of sadness or exhaustion

  • ashen

    suggests greyish paleness, typically from shock or fear

反義詞
  • flushed

    red and warm, the opposite of pale

  • rosy

    pink and healthy-looking

文法句型

be + pallid

look/feel/turn + pallid

pallid + noun (attributive)

用法筆記

More formal and literary than pale. Frequently used to describe someone's appearance after illness, shock, or exhaustion.

常見錯誤

❌She looked pallid after her run.
✅She looked flushed after her run.
💡pallid describes unhealthy paleness from illness or shock, not the normal paleness of fair skin or temporary tiredness after exercise.

2. describes something such as a performance, a piece of writing, or an effort that

2.形容詞C1
釋義

describes something such as a performance, a piece of writing, or an effort that is uninteresting and lacks energy, liveliness, or emotional power.

例句

The audience found the speaker's pallid talk boring and several people left early.

pallid + talk / performance (abstract noun)

Ezra's pallid painting lacked the bright colours and energy of his earlier work.

同義詞
  • lacklustre

    similar meaning but slightly less formal; common in sports and everyday contexts

  • insipid

    stronger disapproval, suggests something is boring because it has no strong flavour or character

  • dull

    everyday word, less formal; broader range of usage

反義詞

文法句型

a + pallid + noun

be + pallid

用法筆記

This figurative sense is typical in reviews, criticism, and formal commentary. The noun it modifies is usually abstract (performance, prose, version, imitation, response).

常見錯誤

❌The team gave a pallid effort.' (acceptable but rare in sports)
✅The team gave a lacklustre effort.
💡pallid is more common for creative works, formal responses, or political actions than for physical effort.