palette

noun

pal·​ette ˈpa-lət 

1

: a thin oval or rectangular board or tablet that a painter holds and mixes pigments on

2

a

: the set of colors put on the palette

b(1)

: a particular range, quality, or use of color

The designer's palette consisted mostly of earth tones.

(2)

: a comparable range, quality, or use of available elements

a rich palette of tones and timbres

a palette of flavors

a palette of vegetables

Examples of palette in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The black and gray color palette gives the set a stylish, modern feel, which explains why over 600 people have scooped one up this month. —Melissa Epifano, Peoplemag, 9 June 2024

Like the originals, the 10 new styles come in a vivid Piet Mondrian-esque palette of primary colors (as well as black and white). —Ella Riley-Adams Jamie Sims Alice Newell-Hanson Jameson Montgomery Jameson Montgomery Caitie Kelly MacKenzie Oster, New York Times, 6 June 2024

With a wide palette of artists on his production resume (FKA Twigs, Carly Rae Jepsen, Sturgill Simpson, Eminem ), Hill’s straight-ahead approach to collaboration in the studio was just what Shultz needed. —Steve Appleford, SPIN, 31 May 2024

Perhaps most helpful is the new delete function, also part of the palette. —Eric Zeman, PCMAG, 31 May 2024

Word History

Etymology

French, from Middle French, diminutive of pale spade, from Latin pala; probably akin to Latin pangere to fix — more at pact

First Known Use

1622, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing palette

• palette knife

Kids Definition

palette

noun

pal·​ette ˈpal-ət 

1

: a thin usually oval board or tablet with a hole for the thumb at one end used by a painter to lay and mix pigments on

2

: the colors put on the palette