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 color palette leaned into classic earthy tones like black, brown and beige, with touches of red, burgundy, military green, blue and soft pink. —Rhonda Richford, WWD, 12 Mar. 2025

Plush fabrics, attention-grabbing artwork and neutral color palettes make up the boardrooms. —Emma Kershaw, Forbes, 12 Mar. 2025

Minimalist design is often associated with whites and beiges, but by no means is sticking to such a color palette a hard-and-fast rule. —Sarah Lyon, Southern Living, 12 Mar. 2025

The bathroom is anchored by a neutral color palette, allowing the whimsical font to stand out. —Kathryn O'Shea-Evans, Architectural Digest, 11 Mar. 2025

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

Rhymes for palette

• alate
• ballot
• fallot
• mallet
• palate
• pallet
• shallot

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