rhizoverbBeta
DictionarypalFriendship
noun / verb

pal

PAL/pæl/

A friend, or to spend time together as friends.

Two longtime pals laugh together on a park bench.

Two older women sit closely on a simple park bench, laughing together; one rests an arm casually around the other's shoulders.
Etymology
palRomanybrother, comrade

Pal is said to come from a Romany word meaning “brother” or “comrade,” connecting close friendship with the familiarity of kinship.

In context

Old Time Radio Researchers13:08
Maxine's my friend my true blue pal we've got Secrets
Father Knows Best - Weekend Away From Home

More examples

  • My old pal called from Arizona last night.
  • We palled around throughout our first year at college.
  • She is palling around with her former teammates again.

Forms

pal · pals · palled · palling

Similar words

friend
Neutral; pal is more informal.
buddy
Another informal friend term, particularly common in American English.