sallow

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "sallow" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe a person's complexion that is pale or yellowish, often indicating illness or fatigue. Example: "After weeks of illness, her skin had taken on a sallow hue that worried her friends."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It's the contrast between yellow skin and curling black hair; the sloping shoulder; the sallow buttock; the nubby, ribby little tits, their useless pink nipples rimmed with spider's legs.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

I'm a shell of my former self, sallow and haggard and coasting entirely on a wave of artificial food additives.

The Guardian

His features are pinched and drawn, his complexion sallow.

The Economist

A thin young girl with sallow, translucent skin, shorn hair and a pink shirt, is captured in an odd, distant gaze.Born in Ukraine, Mr Mikhailov shot these photographs in Kharkov in 1997 and 1998.

The Economist

The New York gossip columns trailed her obsessively, and still could not find out how old she was.Time, however, also trailed her, with his ghastly wrinkled face and his sallow hue that co-ordinated with no bathrooms.

The Economist

The real stimulus lies in the elk's saliva.Dr Bergman did her experiments on sallow saplings.

The Economist

For Holmes and Dr Watson, menace invariably took a sinister eastern form: a sallow Malay attendant at an east London opium den run by a rascally lascar; an evil pygmy; a deadly Indian snake used as a murder weapon.

The Economist

Since 1992 the government has been spending $115m a year on rehabilitation programmes and issuing anti-drug propaganda, some of which imaginatively depicts drug-raddled addicts; even the Mona Lisa is there, hollow-eyed and sallow, with a hypodermic needle in her arm.

The Economist

The general appearance of the sufferer may be sallow because of a combination of anemia and the retention of urinary pigment.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The western grouping of this confederation was known as the Polovtsy, or Kuman, or by other names, most of which have the meaning "pale," or "sallow".

Encyclopedia Britannica

He is younger than Boris, sallow skin and greasy black hair.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "sallow" to specifically describe a yellowish or pale brown complexion that suggests poor health or fatigue. It adds a nuanced detail to character descriptions.

Common error

Avoid using "sallow" to describe someone's skin tone in a way that implies it's their natural complexion due to ethnicity. It's usually indicative of a temporary state caused by illness or stress, not a permanent trait.

Linguistic Context

The word "sallow" functions primarily as an adjective, modifying nouns to describe a specific complexion or color. It indicates a yellowish or pale brownish hue, often associated with ill health or fatigue, as seen in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

47%

Encyclopedias

15%

Science

38%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "sallow" is an adjective primarily used to describe a yellowish or pale brownish complexion, often indicative of poor health. According to Ludwig, the word is grammatically correct and common in various contexts, particularly in News & Media, Encyclopedias, and Science. When writing, remember that "sallow" typically has negative connotations. Alternative phrases include "pale complexion" and "sickly hue". Avoid using "sallow" to imply ethnicity, and be mindful of its negative implications. The "aiResponseStatus" indicates that the term is usable and well-understood.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

pale complexion

Focuses on the lack of color in the skin.

sickly hue

Emphasizes the unhealthy appearance of the color.

jaundiced skin

Specifically indicates a yellowish discoloration due to medical conditions.

wan appearance

Highlights a general paleness and lack of vitality.

yellowish tinge

Directly describes the yellow color.

unhealthy pallor

Combines the concepts of poor health and paleness.

lackluster skin

Describes the skin as dull and without radiance.

ashen-faced

Implies a grayish paleness, often associated with shock or fear.

etiolated

Describes the state of being pale and drawn out, like a plant grown without light.

colorless face

Emphasizes the absence of vibrant color in the facial skin.

FAQs

How can I describe someone's skin as pale without using the word "sallow"?

You can use alternatives like "pale complexion", "wan appearance", or "ashen-faced" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "sallow" to describe skin color in a positive way?

No, "sallow" typically has negative connotations, suggesting ill health or fatigue. It is generally used to describe an undesirable skin tone rather than a healthy or attractive one.

What causes someone's skin to look "sallow"?

A "sallow" complexion can be caused by various factors, including anemia, poor diet, lack of sunlight, illness, or certain medical conditions affecting liver function. It indicates a reduction in healthy blood flow and pigment in the skin.

What's the difference between "sallow" and "jaundiced"?

"Sallow" describes a general yellowish or pale brownish skin tone often associated with illness, while "jaundiced skin" specifically refers to a yellow discoloration caused by high levels of bilirubin, often indicating liver problems. Jaundice is a more specific and severe condition.