look washed out

Meanings

1. 1phrasefixed phrase

   To appear pale, tired, and unhealthy, as if you need rest.

   Grammar: Follows a linking verb + adjective pattern: look/feel/seem washed out.

   Patterns

   • look washed out
   • feel washed out
   • seem washed out

   After three nights without sleep, she looked washed out.

   You look washed out — are you coming down with something?

2. 2phrasefixed phrase

   To look faded and less bright than usual, especially of colors or photographs.

   Grammar: Used about colors, images, or clothing that have lost brightness.

   Patterns

   • look washed out in a photo
   • the colors look washed out

   The old photographs have looked washed out for years.

   That blue looks washed out under this light.

Common combinations

look washed out in photos

She always looks washed out in photos taken with flash.

look pale and washed out

He looked pale and washed out after the long flight.

feel washed out

I felt washed out all week and finally saw a doctor.

look a bit washed out

You look a bit washed out today — take a break.

Synonyms and how they differ

look pale

Focuses only on skin color, while 'look washed out' suggests overall tiredness and dullness.

look peaky

More common in British English and often suggests mild illness rather than exhaustion.

look drained

Emphasizes loss of energy after effort, not necessarily pale color.

Opposites

Word family

washed-out adjective

Pale, faded, or exhausted in appearance.

Commonly confused: look washed out or washed up?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “look washed out”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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