adj
pasty
PAYS-tee
Pasty (adj) means Unhealthily pale in complexion. Example: “He looked pasty and tired after the long flight.”
adj
1
Unhealthily pale in complexion.
"He looked pasty and tired after the long flight."
noun
1
A baked pastry case filled with seasoned meat and vegetables, folded into a semicircle.
"A traditional Cornish pasty is filled with beef, potato, and swede."
How to use pasty
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishAs an adjective, pale-looking; as a noun, a hand-held pie with a pastry crust, famously Cornish.
Common pairings
pasty complexion
pasty-faced
Cornish pasty
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like pasty.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Word forms
- Plural
- pasties
- Comparative
- pastier
- Superlative
- pastiest
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
He looked _____ and tired after the long flight.
Etymology
From "paste" plus the adjectival suffix "-y" — the noun sense (the pie) comes from the same "paste" root via the dough it's made of.
Related words
Rhymes for pasty
See all rhymes for pasty →Frequently asked questions
What does “pasty” mean?
The word “pasty” means unhealthily pale in complexion. In plain terms, as an adjective, pale-looking; as a noun, a hand-held pie with a pastry crust, famously Cornish.
How do you pronounce “pasty”?
“Pasty” is pronounced PAYS-tee (/ˈpeɪsti/ in IPA).
How do you use “pasty” in a sentence?
Here is “pasty” used in a sentence: “He looked pasty and tired after the long flight.”
What part of speech is “pasty”?
Depending on how it is used, “pasty” can be an adjective and a noun.
How many meanings does “pasty” have?
“Pasty” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: unhealthily pale in complexion.
