adj
hale
hayl
adj
1
Healthy and strong, especially for someone's age.
"Even at ninety, her grandfather remained hale and active."
verb
1
To pull or drag someone forcibly.
"The guards haled the prisoner before the judge."
How to Use Hale
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishIn good health and sturdy, especially for one's age; often paired with "hearty" in the set phrase "hale and hearty."
Common mistake
Don't confuse with "hail," the ice pellets or the greeting.
When to use it
Somewhat old-fashioned or literary; rarely used outside the fixed phrase "hale and hearty."
Easily confused with
Common pairings
hale and hearty
Word Forms
haler comparative, haled past tense, hales singular, halest superlative
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Even at ninety, her grandfather remained _____ and active.
Etymology
From Old English hal, meaning "whole" or "healthy" — the same ancient root that gave us the word "whole."