Sallowest: meaning, definitions and examples

😷
Add to dictionary

sallowest

 

[ ˈsæl.oʊ.ɪst ]

Adjective
Context #1 | Adjective

appearance, complexion

Sallowest refers to a pale or yellowish complexion, often indicative of illness or lack of health. It describes a look that can be associated with fatigue, poor nutrition, or certain medical conditions.

Synonyms

lemon-yellow, pale, sickly, wan

Examples of usage

  • Her sallowest features hinted at her recent illness.
  • He looked sallowest after a week of sleepless nights.
  • The winter months left his skin sallowest and dull.
  • After the flu, she returned to her sallowest state.

Translations

Translations of the word "sallowest" in other languages:

🇵🇹 mais pálido

🇮🇳 सबसे पीला

🇩🇪 am blassesten

🇮🇩 paling pucat

🇺🇦 найблідіший

🇵🇱 najbladniejszy

🇯🇵 最も青白い

🇫🇷 le plus pâle

🇪🇸 el más pálido

🇹🇷 en solgun

🇰🇷 가장 창백한

🇸🇦 الأكثر شحوبًا

🇨🇿 nejbledší

🇸🇰 najbledší

🇨🇳 最苍白的

🇸🇮 najbledičejši

🇮🇸 bleikasta

🇰🇿 ең боз

🇬🇪 ყველაზე ღია

🇦🇿 ən solğun

🇲🇽 el más pálido

Word origin

The term 'sallow' comes from the Old English word 'salwe', which means 'yellow'. It has Germanic roots, similar to the Middle Dutch 'seel', meaning 'sallow, pale', and the Old High German 'salwa'. The word described a complexion that was not only lacking in warmth but also had a tinge of yellow, often associated with illness or unhealthy conditions. Over time, 'sallow' evolved into 'sallowest', which denotes the extreme degree of this lack of vibrancy in complexion. It has been utilized in literary contexts to portray characters who are unwell or fatigued, emphasizing the emotional and physical state of the individual. The use of the word has persisted into modern English, commonly appearing in both medical descriptions and literary works.

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #43,740, this word is among the least frequently used in common English. Understanding it can be beneficial for comprehensive language mastery, but it's not essential for most learners.