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Synonyms

pal

1 American  
[pal] / pæl /

noun

  1. a friend or close associate; chum; comrade.

  2. an accomplice.

verb (used without object)

palled, palling

  1. to associate as comrades or chums.

    to pal around with the kid next door.
PAL 2 American  
[pal] / pæl /

noun

  1. a special air service offered by the U.S. Postal Service for sending parcels from 5 to 30 pounds (2.3 to 13.5 kilograms) to overseas members of the armed forces: only the regular parcel post rate to the U.S. port of shipment plus $1 is charged.

PAL 3 American  
Or P.A.L.

abbreviation

  1. Police Athletic League.

pal. 4 American  

abbreviation

  1. paleography.

  2. paleontology.

Pal. 5 American  

abbreviation

  1. Palestine.

pal 1 British  
/ pæl /

noun

  1. a close friend; comrade

  2. an accomplice

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

verb

  1. (intr; usually foll by with or about) to associate as friends

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Pal. 2 British  

abbreviation

  1. Palestine

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
PAL 3 British  
/ pæl /

acronym

  1. phase alternation line: a colour-television broadcasting system used generally in Europe

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of pal1

First recorded in 1675–85; English Romani: “brother, mate,” variant of continental Romani phral, ultimately from Sanskrit bhrātṛ “brother”; brother

Origin of PAL2

P(arcel) A(ir) L(ift)

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

His plea to old pal Hamilton arrived too late.

From Barron's

His plea to old pal Hamilton arrived too late.

From Barron's

I felt pretty bad about that because Grandpa was my pal, and all he was trying to do was help me.

From Literature

A letter from Lord Mandelson to Epstein, where he calls the financier his "best pal", features in a book compiled for Epstein's 50th birthday in 2003, which is released by US lawmakers.

From BBC

"This coin captures everything we love about him, that unmistakable mischievous grin, his furry pal Gnasher by his side and that irresistible spirit of rebellion that has made him a favourite across generations," she said.

From BBC

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.