pal

1 of 2

noun

ˈpal How to pronounce pal (audio)
Synonyms of palnext
: a close friend
palship
ˈpal-ˌship How to pronounce pal (audio)
noun

pal

2 of 2

verb

palled; palling

intransitive verb

: to be or become pals : associate as pals
they've palled around for years

Synonyms of pal

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Noun

Verb

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Examples of pal in a Sentence

Noun We've been pals since we were kids. Come on—be a pal and lend me the money. Verb they began to pal around after discovering that they both had kids on the same soccer team
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
Tointon will star as Maggie, Winstone’s onscreen daughter, while Maltman will play her partner, Gavin, and Keene will star as the mysterious Ana, while Glen plays a pal from Razor’s younger days. — Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 1 Sep. 2026 The new movie follows a benevolent ex-pilot named Hig (Jacob Elordi) who, after losing his wife during a catastrophic global pandemic, lives out in the wilderness with his dog, Jasper, and ornery isolationist pal Bangley (Josh Brolin). — Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 27 Aug. 2026 Only three opponents won more than seven games last year, and Maryland hosts old pal James Franklin and Virginia Tech in nonconference action. — Scott Dochterman, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026 Especially with Watson, CB’s pal, getting traded to the Cavs as part of a five-team swap that landed the Nuggets draft picks in ’31 and ’32. — Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 25 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for pal

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Romani phral, phal brother, friend, from Sanskrit bhrātṛ brother; akin to Old English brōthor brother

First Known Use

Noun

circa 1886, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1875, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of pal was in 1875

Phrases Containing pal

Rhymes for pal

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Browse Nearby Words

paktong
pal
pala
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Cite this Entry

“Pal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pal. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

pal

1 of 2 noun
ˈpal How to pronounce pal (audio)
: a close friend

pal

2 of 2 verb
palled; palling
: to be or become pals

Legal Definition

PAL

abbreviation
passive activity loss
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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