Sallow vs. Yellow — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Fiza Rafique — Updated on May 8, 2024
Sallow refers to an unhealthy, yellowish or pale brown color of the skin, typically indicating ill health, while yellow is a primary color perceived when light has a predominant wavelength of roughly 570–590 nm.
Difference Between Sallow and Yellow
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Sallow specifically describes a skin tone that looks unhealthy, often pale, yellowish, or light brown, suggesting sickness or fatigue. In contrast, yellow is a bright and vibrant color that can signify warmth, attention, or caution depending on the context.
Sallow skin can result from various factors, including poor diet, lack of sleep, or illness, giving the skin a dull, lifeless appearance. Yellow, however, is a color often associated with sunshine and energy, representing vitality and positivity in many cultures.
While sallow is almost always used in a negative context to describe a person's complexion, yellow can have multiple symbolic meanings ranging from happiness and hope to caution and cowardice, showing its versatile nature in psychological and cultural interpretations.
The term "sallow" is typically used in health or cosmetic contexts to indicate a need for medical attention or lifestyle changes. Yellow, on the other hand, is used broadly in descriptions and identifications across various fields, including art, safety signage, and nature.
Sallow skin may indicate underlying health issues that might require intervention, while the presence of the color yellow can be purely aesthetic or functional, such as in traffic lights or floral displays, without any health implications.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Unhealthy, pale yellow skin tone
A primary, vibrant color
Usage Context
Medical, cosmetic
Diverse, including art and safety
Health Connotation
Negative, indicates poor health
None specific
Symbolic Meaning
Illness, fatigue
Happiness, caution, energy
Variability
Limited to skin description
Broad, applicable to many objects
Compare with Definitions
Sallow
A description of skin that appears yellowish and unhealthy.
Her complexion turned sallow after several sleepless nights.
Yellow
Can indicate caution, as in traffic lights and warning signs.
The yellow light warned drivers to slow down.
Sallow
Related to a lack of vibrancy and life.
Under the harsh office lights, his face looked particularly sallow.
Yellow
A primary color in the spectrum, between green and orange.
The children used bright yellow paint for the sun in their drawing.
Sallow
Seen as undesirable in a cosmetic sense.
She used a tinted moisturizer to counteract her sallow complexion.
Yellow
Found widely in nature, especially in flowers.
The garden was filled with yellow daffodils.
Sallow
Often indicates illness or poor health.
The patient's sallow skin was a concern to the doctor.
Yellow
Used to describe things that have this color.
She wore a yellow dress that brightened the room.
Sallow
Specific to descriptions of human features.
The sallow cheeks suggested he hadn't been eating well.
Yellow
Symbolic of joy and energy.
The yellow decorations at the party added a cheerful touch.
Sallow
Of a sickly yellowish hue or complexion.
Yellow
Yellow is the color between orange and green on the spectrum of visible light. It is evoked by light with a dominant wavelength of roughly 575–585 nm.
Sallow
To make sallow.
Yellow
Of the colour between green and orange in the spectrum, a primary subtractive colour complementary to blue; coloured like ripe lemons or egg yolks
Curly yellow hair
Sallow
Any of several low-growing or shrubby European willows, especially Salix caprea or S. cinerea, having large catkins that appear early in the spring and formerly used as a source of charcoal and tannin.
Yellow
Not brave; cowardly
He'd better get back there quick and prove he's not yellow
Sallow
(of skin) Yellowish.
Yellow
(of a style of writing, especially in journalism) lurid and sensational
He based his judgement on headlines and yellow journalism
Sallow
Of a sickly pale colour.
Yellow
Yellow colour or pigment
The craft detonated in a blaze of red and yellow
A wide range of colours from rich vibrant reds, yellows, blues, and greens to more unexpected pastel shades
Sallow
(Ireland) Of a tan colour, associated with people from southern Europe or East Asia.
Yellow
A yellow ball or piece in a game or sport, especially the yellow ball in snooker
He missed an easy yellow in frame four
Sallow
(of a person) Having skin (especially on the face) of a sickly pale colour.
Yellow
Used in names of moths or butterflies that are mainly yellow in colour.
Sallow
(of objects or dim light) Having a similar pale, yellowish colour.
Yellow
Any of a number of plant diseases in which the leaves turn yellow, typically caused by viruses and transmitted by insects.
Sallow
Foul; murky; sickly.
Yellow
Become yellow, especially with age
The cream paint was beginning to yellow
Sallow
(intransitive) To become sallow.
Yellow
The hue of that portion of the visible spectrum lying between orange and green, evoked in the human observer by radiant energy with wavelengths of approximately 570 to 590 nanometers; any of a group of colors of a hue resembling that of ripe lemons and varying in lightness and saturation; one of the subtractive primaries; one of the psychological primary hues.
Sallow
(transitive) To cause (someone or something) to become sallow.
Yellow
A pigment or dye having this hue.
Sallow
A European willow, Salix caprea, that has broad leaves, large catkins and tough wood.
Yellow
Something that has this hue.
Sallow
A willow twig or branch.
Yellow
Chiefly Southern US The yolk of an egg.
Sallow
The willow; willow twigs.
And bend the pliant sallow to a shield.
The sallow knows the basketmaker's thumb.
Yellow
Western US Gold. Used formerly by prospectors.
Sallow
A name given to certain species of willow, especially those which do not have flexible shoots, as Salix caprea, S. cinerea, etc.
Yellow
Yellows Any of various plant diseases characterized by yellow or yellowish discoloration of the leaves and caused by phytoplasmas that are transmitted by insects or by certain viruses.
Sallow
Having a yellowish color; of a pale, sickly color, tinged with yellow; as, a sallow skin.
Yellow
Of the color yellow.
Sallow
To tinge with sallowness.
July breathes hot, sallows the crispy fields.
Yellow
Having a yellow-brown skin color.
Sallow
Any of several Old World shrubby broad-leaved willows having large catkins; some are important sources for tanbark and charcoal
Yellow
(Offensive) Of or being a person of Asian origin.
Sallow
Cause to become sallow;
The illness has sallowed her face
Yellow
(Slang) Cowardly.
Sallow
Unhealthy looking
Yellow
To make or become yellow
Documents that had been yellowed by age.
Clouds that yellow in the evening light.
Yellow
Having yellow as its color.
Yellow
(informal) Lacking courage.
Yellow
Characterized by sensationalism, lurid content, and doubtful accuracy.
Yellow
Of the skin, having the colour traditionally attributed to Far East Asians, especially Chinese.
Yellow
Far East Asian relating to Asian people.
Yellow
Of mixed Aboriginal and Caucasian ancestry.
Yellow
Synonym of high yellow
Yellow
(UK politics) Related to the Liberal Democrats.
Yellow constituencies
Yellow
(politics) Related to the Free Democratic Party; a political party in Germany.
The black-yellow coalition
Yellow
The colour of gold, cheese, or a lemon; the colour obtained by mixing green and red light, or by subtracting blue from white light.
Yellow
(US) The intermediate light in a set of three traffic lights, the illumination of which indicates that drivers should stop short of the intersection if it is safe to do so.
Yellow
(snooker) One of the colour balls used in snooker, with a value of 2 points.
Yellow
(pocket billiards) One of two groups of object balls, or a ball from that group, as used in the principally British version of pool that makes use of unnumbered balls (the (yellow(s) and red(s)); contrast stripes and solids in the originally American version with numbered balls).
Yellow
(sports) A yellow card.
Yellow
Any of various pierid butterflies of the subfamily Coliadinae, especially the yellow coloured species. Compare sulphur.
Yellow
(intransitive) To become yellow or more yellow.
Yellow
(transitive) To make (something) yellow or more yellow.
Yellow
Being of a bright saffronlike color; of the color of gold or brass; having the hue of that part of the rainbow, or of the solar spectrum, which is between the orange and the green.
Her yellow hair was browded [braided] in a tress.
A sweaty reaper from his tillage broughtFirst fruits, the green ear and the yellow sheaf.
The line of yellow light dies fast away.
Yellow
Cowardly; hence, dishonorable; mean; contemptible; as, he has a yellow streak.
Yellow
Sensational; - said of some newspapers, their makers, etc.; as, yellow journal, journalism, etc.
Yellow
A bright golden color, reflecting more light than any other except white; the color of that part of the spectrum which is between the orange and green.
Yellow
A yellow pigment.
Yellow
To make yellow; to cause to have a yellow tinge or color; to dye yellow.
Yellow
To become yellow or yellower.
Yellow
The quality or state of the chromatic color resembling the hue of sunflowers or ripe lemons
Yellow
Turn yellow;
The pages of the book began to yellow
Yellow
Similar to the color of an egg yolk
Yellow
Easily frightened
Yellow
Changed to a yellowish color by age;
Yellowed parchment
Yellow
Typical of tabloids;
Sensational journalistic reportage of the scandal
Yellow journalism
Yellow
Cowardly or treacherous;
The little yellow stain of treason
Too yellow to stand and fight
Yellow
Affected by jaundice which causes yellowing of skin etc
Common Curiosities
What does sallow skin mean?
Sallow skin refers to a yellowish, unhealthy-looking skin tone often associated with illness or poor health.
How can sallow skin be treated?
Treating sallow skin involves addressing the underlying health issue, improving diet, hydration, and sometimes cosmetic products to brighten the skin tone.
Why is yellow often used in safety signs?
Yellow grabs attention and is universally recognized to signify caution, making it ideal for safety signs and signals.
Can yellow be an indicator of health issues like sallow is?
Yellow itself is not an indicator of health unless referring to jaundice, where skin or eyes turn yellow due to liver issues.
What cultural meanings does yellow have?
In many cultures, yellow is seen as a symbol of joy, wisdom, and sometimes royalty, but it can also represent cowardice or deceit in some Western cultures.
Is there a positive way to use the term sallow?
The term "sallow" is rarely used in a positive context as it specifically describes an unhealthy appearance.
Can people naturally have sallow skin without being ill?
Some individuals may have a naturally yellowish skin tone, but true sallowness is generally linked to health factors.
How is sallow different from simply being pale?
Sallow implies a yellowish, unhealthy tint to the paleness, whereas being pale might simply refer to a lighter skin tone without the unhealthy connotation.
What emotions are commonly associated with the color yellow?
Yellow is often associated with happiness, optimism, and warmth but can also signify caution or fear in different contexts.
Are there ways to prevent sallow skin?
Preventing sallow skin involves maintaining a healthy lifestyle, including proper nutrition, hydration, sleep, and skincare.
Is sallow a color that can be used in design?
Sallow is not typically used as a desirable color in design due to its negative associations with ill health.
How does yellow influence mood and behavior?
Yellow can lift spirits and increase energy levels, but overly bright or excessive yellow might lead to feelings of frustration or anger in some people.
Does the meaning of yellow change in different cultures?
Yes, the meaning of yellow can vary significantly between cultures, from symbolizing prosperity and royalty to betrayal and cowardice.
What items are commonly yellow in everyday life?
Common yellow items include flowers, fruits like bananas and lemons, and man-made objects like school buses and raincoats.
How can someone tell if their skin is turning sallow?
Sallow skin is usually noticeable when the skin loses its natural color and takes on a dull yellow or brownish hue.
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
