pastel

B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun Cooking

n. a stick of colored powder held together with a special paste, used like a crayon for drawing.

n. an art medium in the form of a stick, consisting of pure powdered pigment and a binder.

“She bought a new box of soft pastels to use in her art class.”

“Working with soft pastels requires a textured surface to ensure the pigment particles adhere properly to the paper.”

C1 · Advanced Countable noun Theater Formal

n. a picture or drawing made using pastel sticks.

n. a drawing or painting executed using pastel sticks.

“The museum has a beautiful 18th-century pastel of a young woman.”

“The gallery specialized in French pastels, showcasing the medium's unique ability to capture the velvet texture of skin and fabric.”

C2 · Proficiency Countable noun Cooking Dialect

n. a traditional dish in some Latin American countries that looks like a small pie or pastry.

n. a traditional savory pastry or dish found in various Latin American and Caribbean cuisines, often filled with meat or vegetables.

“We ate delicious chicken pastels at the street market in Brazil.”

“During the festival, vendors sold thousands of deep-fried pastels filled with cheese, minced meat, and hearts of palm.”

B2 · Upper Intermediate

adj. having a soft, pale, or light color.

adj. of a soft, pale, or light shade; having low saturation.

“He wore a pastel blue shirt that matched his eyes.”

“The interior designer recommended pastel tones for the small bedroom to make the space feel more open and airy.”