pasty
pasty Lexical Profile
pasty Game Scores & Validity
• adjective
Unhealthily pale in color, especially regarding a person's complexion or skin.
"After spending the entire winter indoors without sunlight, his complexion had become quite pasty."
Having the thick, sticky, or doughy consistency of paste.
"The chef threw out the ruined sauce because it had developed a thick, pasty texture instead of a smooth gloss."
• noun
British A folded pastry case usually filled with seasoned meat and vegetables, traditionally associated with Cornwall, England.
"While hiking along the coast of Cornwall, we stopped at a local bakery to enjoy a traditional beef and potato pasty."
A small, decorative adhesive covering worn to conceal the nipple, often used in burlesque performances or under sheer clothing.
"The burlesque dancer wore an elaborate costume featuring rhinestone-studded pasties during her vintage cabaret routine."
Word Nuance & Usage
This word is a heteronym: the adjective describing pale skin or a doughy texture is pronounced with a long 'A' (/ˈpeɪsti/), while the noun referring to the traditional British baked good is pronounced with a short 'A' (/ˈpæsti/).
• Rhymes for pasty
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Derived from Middle English 'paste' (from Old French 'paste', meaning dough). The noun denoting a meat pie appeared first in the 13th century, while the adjective meaning 'pale and unhealthy' emerged in the late 15th century.
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.