Sallow - Meaning, Definition & English Examples
Sallow describes a sickly, pale, or yellowish complexion, often suggesting poor health or fatigue. It is commonly used to describe someone’s skin tone when they appear unwell.
Definition:
Of a sickly, yellowish or pale complexion, often suggesting poor health.
Synonyms:
pallid, wan, pasty, ashen
Part of Speech:
adjective
Antonyms:
rosy, ruddy
Common Collocations:
sallow complexion, sallow skin, sallow cheeks
Derivatives:
sallowness, sallowish
Usage Tips:
Use "sallow" to describe an unhealthy pale or yellowish skin tone, not just general paleness.
Common Phrases:
sallow-faced, turned sallow with illness
Etymology:
From Old English *salu* (dusky), related to Dutch *zaluw* and German *sal*.
Examples:
- 1. Her face looked sallow after weeks of illness.
- 2. The dim light made his skin appear sallow and tired.
- 3. She had a naturally sallow complexion that darkened in the sun.
- 4. His sallow cheeks hinted at long nights without sleep.