pale complexion
Wan facial coloring
A pale complexion is skin that is lighter than usual or lacks healthy color—often appearing white, wan, or ashen.
The phrase typically describes either a natural skin tone or a temporary condition caused by illness, fear, shock, or lack of sun: Her pale complexion suggested she hadn't been outdoors in weeks.
A pale complexion has been variously prized and stigmatized across cultures and eras.
- wanPale and unwell-looking
- ashenPale, grayish-white
- white as a sheetExtremely pale from shock
- sallowUnhealthily yellowish complexion
- ghostlyResembling a specter
bloodless · fair · pasty · chalky · white · anemic · sickly · death warmed over · faint · colorless · peaked · drawn · gaunt · ivory · porcelain · milky · moonlight · washed-out
pale, paler, palest, palely, paleness, pallor, pallid, pallidness, appall