pastel
pastel — noun
1. a soft drawing stick made from coloured powder, or an artwork done in pastel
a soft drawing stick made from coloured powder, or an artwork done in pastel
Ella opened a new box of pastels before the life drawing class.
collocation: a box of pastels
The teacher handed Noah a pastel for the sky above the hills.
A small pastel of the harbor hung beside the office door.
During art club, two pastels broke inside Maya's school bag.
The museum bought a pastel showing winter trees near the river.
- crayon
also a drawing stick, but crayons are usually wax-based and less powdery
- chalk
similar in shape, but ordinary chalk is not the same art material
- pastel drawing
used only for the finished picture, not for the stick itself
文法句型
draw with pastels
a box of pastels
a pastel of [place/person]
用法筆記
Can name the drawing stick, one finished picture, or the medium in general. In art classes, pastels often means a set of sticks.
常見錯誤
2. a light colour that looks gentle rather than bright or strong
a light colour that looks gentle rather than bright or strong
The shop window was full of pastels for spring dresses.
plural pastels for a colour range
Jin chose a pastel for the baby's blanket and wall.
Pastels looked better than dark reds in the small bedroom.
Her wedding cards mixed gold letters with pink and blue pastels.
The paint chart showed several pastels for the kitchen walls.
- light colour
a broader everyday phrase; it does not always suggest the same soft feel
- soft shade
close in meaning and often used for gentle-looking colours
- tint
a more technical colour word, often for a colour mixed with white
- bright colour
stronger and more eye-catching
- dark colour
deeper in tone rather than light
- neon shade
much more intense and glowing
文法句型
pastels in fashion or design
a palette of pastels
用法筆記
Often used in the plural when talking about a group of these colours in clothes, rooms, or design.
常見錯誤
3. the use of pastel sticks as a way of making pictures
the use of pastel sticks as a way of making pictures
Rina studied pastel at college before learning oil painting.
study pastel as a subject
The workshop introduces pastel through simple fruit and flower studies.
Mr. Tan said pastel needs a light touch on rough paper.
At the museum, a short film explained pastel to school visitors.
Pastel rewards careful layering in a quick street sketch.
- pastel art
a close phrase for artwork or study in this medium
- pastel work
often refers to work done in the medium, not always the technique itself
- drawing medium
broader and can include charcoal, ink, and other materials
文法句型
study pastel
teach pastel
pastel technique
用法筆記
Usually uncountable when you mean the field or method. Distinguish from sense 1 ART MATERIAL, which names a stick or one finished picture.
常見錯誤
pastel — adjective
1. having a light, gentle colour instead of a deep or bright one
having a light, gentle colour instead of a deep or bright one
The cafe used pastel walls and pale wood tables.
before noun: pastel walls
Lena wore a pastel green sweater to the family party.
pastel + colour noun
Pastel houses stood along the road by the sea.
The bakery wrapped the cakes in pastel pink boxes.
By April, the garden market was selling pastel Easter cards.
- pale
broader and not always as pleasant or decorative
- soft
can describe colour, but also sound, light, or style
- light-coloured
plain and descriptive, without the stylish feel of pastel
- muted
less strong in colour, often quieter or more controlled in tone
文法句型
pastel + colour noun
look pastel
用法筆記
Most often comes before a noun, especially with colour words such as pink, blue, green, and yellow. It can also follow a linking verb: The houses looked pastel.