# Isabel

/ˈɪzəˌbɛɫ/ (US)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/isabel
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Senses

### 1. female name

noun · CEFR A1

a common female name that comes from the name Elizabeth.

For teachers: a female given name, originally a Spanish and French variant of Elizabeth.

- Isabel decided to study engineering at the local university.
- The name Isabel has enjoyed consistent popularity across various European cultures for centuries, often appearing in royal lineages.

### 2. pale yellow color

adjective · CEFR C2 · Archaic · Literary

a pale, brownish-yellow or grey-yellow color.

For teachers: denoting a greyish-yellow or light brownish-yellow color; often associated with the coats of animals or aged parchment.

- The old book had isabel pages that were brittle to the touch.
- The naturalist described the bird's plumage as a muted isabel, blending perfectly with the sun-bleached grasses of the plain.

Usage: Often used in older texts to describe the specific color of horses or birds.

## Examples

- The horse had a beautiful isabel coat that shone in the sun.
- The breeder specialized in isabel horses, which were highly prized for their unique, pale golden appearance.
- In historical texts, the queen's gown was described as isabel, a shade that suggested both the age of the fabric and a specific, muted elegance popular at the time.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.