deathly pale

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "deathly pale" is correct and usable in written English.
It is an idiomatic expression and is used to describe a complexion that is extremely pale, almost as if it were the color of death. For example, "I looked at her face and saw that she was deathly pale."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

26 human-written examples

His face is deathly pale from agitation.

The New York Times - Books

They were smiling, but their faces were deathly pale.

The New York Times

She felt for her injured hand and a smile crossed her deathly pale face.

Independent

The first time I met him, he was deathly pale and racked by a tubercular cough.

The Guardian

But the overall colour was a colourless all-colour of stained whiteness, deathly pale.

The Guardian - Books

My skin, despite the carefully applied foundation and blush, was so deathly pale I recoiled from my reflection.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

32 human-written examples

Handlen wrote that he was "delighted to get another Scully-centric episode [especially] one that doesn't end up with her looking pale and deathly in a hospital bed".

Wikipedia

Among these: using self-tanning lotion to avoid a deathly pallor ("I think the pale thing is giving me away"), anointing a cute little goth minion ("What do we need an onion for?") and redyeing vampire vestments to avoid embarrassment.

The New York Times

His mouth hangs open, his eyes are frozen and his skin paled by a deathly blue hue.

Huffington Post

Mojo cited the album, along with Song of Innocence, as Axelrod's artistic peak and particularly praised "The Human Abstract" as "beautiful and blank", evoking "the view from Arthur Lee's castle of an endless pale blue sky and the vast deathly city beneath it".

Wikipedia

Among the recurrent, queasy-making images are extreme close-ups of needles penetrating flesh; a single pale blue eye of the movie's deathly white, cadaverous, heavily freckled protagonist, Syd March (Caleb Landry Jones); and mouths smeared with blood from oral injections.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "deathly pale" to vividly describe someone's appearance when they are experiencing shock, fear, illness, or extreme emotional distress. It effectively conveys a sense of vulnerability and heightened emotional state.

Common error

Avoid using "deathly pale" to describe someone who is simply fair-skinned or has a naturally light complexion. The phrase carries a strong connotation of illness or distress, and using it inappropriately can sound melodramatic or insensitive.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "deathly pale" functions primarily as a descriptive adjective phrase. It modifies a noun (e.g., face, skin) to indicate an extreme lack of color, often associated with illness, fear, or shock. This is consistent with Ludwig AI, which confirms its usability.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

79%

Wiki

11%

Arts

4%

Less common in

Books

4%

Sport

1%

Opinion

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "deathly pale" is a common and grammatically sound adjective phrase used to describe an extreme lack of color in someone's complexion, often associated with negative emotional or physical states. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in written English. Predominantly found in News & Media, its purpose is to evoke a sense of alarm or vulnerability. When using "deathly pale", it's important to consider the strong connotations it carries and avoid overuse in mundane or inappropriate contexts. Alternatives like "ashen-faced" or "white as a sheet" might be more suitable depending on the desired tone and level of formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

white as a sheet

Uses a simile to describe extreme paleness, creating a vivid image.

ashen-faced

Replaces "deathly pale" with a single adjective that describes a pale or gray facial appearance.

bloodless face

Emphasizes the absence of blood and color in the face.

ghastly white

Substitutes "deathly" with "ghastly" while retaining the color descriptor.

sickly pale

Directly links the paleness to illness or poor health.

extremely pallid

Replaces the idiomatic "deathly" with the more formal "extremely" and substitutes "pale" with its synonym "pallid".

colorless complexion

Focuses on the lack of color in the complexion, providing a more clinical description.

wan and pale

Uses two adjectives, "wan" and "pale", to describe a sickly or feeble pallor.

lacking color

A simpler, more direct way of saying someone appears "deathly pale".

ivory-skinned

Compares the skin tone to the color of ivory, suggesting a smooth, pale complexion.

FAQs

How can I use "deathly pale" in a sentence?

You can use "deathly pale" to describe someone's face or skin when they look extremely pale, usually due to fear, shock, or illness. For example, "He turned "deathly pale" when he saw the accident".

What are some synonyms for "deathly pale"?

Alternatives to "deathly pale" include "ashen-faced", "ghastly white", or "white as a sheet". These phrases all convey a similar sense of extreme paleness.

Is it appropriate to use "deathly pale" in formal writing?

While "deathly pale" is acceptable in most contexts, consider using a more formal alternative like "extremely pallid" or "lacking color" in academic or professional writing.

What causes someone to look "deathly pale"?

A "deathly pale" complexion can be caused by various factors including shock, fear, blood loss, anemia, or certain medical conditions. It often indicates a sudden and significant change in blood flow or oxygen levels.