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

Incorporating instrumentation like strings, woodwinds and upright bass, alongside his own work on piano, Hood succeeds in crafting a compelling album which also functions as a departure from the Truckers’ sonic palette. —Jim Ryan, Forbes.com, 3 Apr. 2025

The lodge takes design cues from the local customs and setting, from the organic palette in its eight suites to the covered walkway at the entrance modeled on yikuku fish traps used by the Mbukushu people. —Jennifer Flowers, AFAR Media, 3 Apr. 2025

Color Coordinate One way to instantly upgrade a bunk room is to stick to a narrow palette. —Laura Fenton, Better Homes & Gardens, 3 Apr. 2025

The new console has magnetically detachable Joy-con controllers and ditches their red and blue colors in favor of a mostly black palette. —Jordan Moreau, Variety, 2 Apr. 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