The word "sallow" is often mistakenly spelled as "shallow" due to their similar pronunciation. However, the correct spelling of "sallow" is /ˈsæloʊ/. The phonetic transcription shows that the first syllable is pronounced with a short vowel sound /æ/ (as in "cat"), followed by the long vowel sound /oʊ/ (as in "go"). Sallow refers to a yellowish or pale complexion, typically due to illness or lack of sun exposure. It can also describe a type of willow tree with yellowish bark.
Sallow is an adjective that describes a person's complexion or skin tone. It typically refers to a yellowish or sickly color, often associated with illness, lack of vitality, or poor health. A person with a sallow complexion may have dull, pale, or yellowish skin, usually lacking the natural pink or healthy glow.
The term can also be used to describe plants, particularly deciduous trees, whose leaves have taken on a yellowish or faded hue. It is a characteristic often seen in autumn, as the chlorophyll responsible for the green color gradually breaks down, revealing underlying pigments. Sallow trees may appear sickly or devoid of life, especially in contrast to their vibrant, green counterparts.
In addition, "sallow" can be used metaphorically to describe a general feeling or atmosphere lacking vibrancy or energy. For example, a sallow light can imply a dim or weak illumination, while sallow air may indicate a heavy or oppressive quality.
Overall, whether applied to a person, a plant, or a situation, the term "sallow" conveys a sense of pallor, weakness, or lack of vitality, suggesting a condition that is less healthy, lively, or vigorous than what is typically expected or desired.
• Of a pale sickly colour, tinged with dark yellow.
• A small tree or shrub of the willow kind.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "sallow" has its roots in Old English. It ultimately comes from the Proto-Germanic word "salwaz", which means "dark, dirty, willow". In Old English, the word evolved into "salu", meaning "dirty, gray". Over time, it acquired the meaning of "pale yellowish complexion" as well. Its use to describe a sickly or yellowish complexion is believed to have developed in the late 15th century.