paling: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowFormal/Literary (when referring to fence). Neutral (when referring to loss of colour).
Quick answer
What does “paling” mean?
A fence made of pointed wooden or metal stakes (pales) driven into the ground.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A fence made of pointed wooden or metal stakes (pales) driven into the ground.
The act or process of becoming pale or losing colour. Also, an individual stake used in such a fence (less common).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In both, 'paling' as a fence is understood but somewhat dated/regional. The verb-derived sense ('becoming pale') is rare but neutral.
Connotations
The fence sense can evoke rural, traditional, or historical settings (e.g., a garden paling).
Frequency
More likely found in older literature or specific contexts (e.g., property descriptions) in both varieties.
Grammar
How to Use “paling” in a Sentence
[ADJ] palingpaling of [NOUN] (e.g., paling of the skin)over/through the palingVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “paling” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- He felt the blood draining from his face, paling visibly at the news.
American English
- The old paint on the shed is paling under the fierce summer sun.
adverb
British English
- (Not used as an adverb).
American English
- (Not used as an adverb).
adjective
British English
- (Not standard. The adjective is 'pale', not 'paling').
American English
- (Not standard. The adjective is 'pale', not 'paling').
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Possible in historical or architectural contexts describing boundaries or fortifications.
Everyday
Uncommon. Might be used in gardening or property discussions.
Technical
Used in fencing, landscaping, or historical restoration.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “paling”
- Using 'paling' as a common word for any modern fence.
- Confusing 'paling' (fence) with 'palings' (individual stakes).
- Misspelling as 'payling' or 'palling'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it's relatively low-frequency and can sound dated or literary, especially the noun meaning 'fence'.
A paling is a fence made of pales (pointed stakes). A picket fence is a type of paling fence where the pales (pickets) are evenly spaced and often decorative. 'Picket' is the more common modern term.
Not directly. 'Paling' can be the present participle or gerund of the verb 'to pale' (to become pale). As a standalone verb form, it's 'pale'.
Yes, 'palings' can refer to multiple individual stakes or sections of such a fence.
A fence made of pointed wooden or metal stakes (pales) driven into the ground.
Paling is usually formal/literary (when referring to fence). neutral (when referring to loss of colour). in register.
Paling: in British English it is pronounced /ˈpeɪlɪŋ/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈpeɪlɪŋ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “beyond the pale (related etymologically, but 'pale' here means a boundary, not a stake)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a 'PALE' wooden stake. A row of them makes a PALING fence. Also, when you go pale, you are 'PALING'.
Conceptual Metaphor
BOUNDARY IS A LIMIT (paling as fence); LOSS OF VITALITY IS LOSS OF COLOUR (paling as becoming pale).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'paling' LEAST likely to be used?