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

Using a consistent color palette or filter with all your Instagram posts can give you that edge over the competition when building your social presence. —Rafael Romis, Forbes, 10 Jan. 2025

There’s something so satisfying about discovering a go-to beauty staple for your daughter, like this eye shadow palette. —Blake Bakkila, Glamour, 10 Jan. 2025

The designer expanded the concept by sourcing pieces within the same material palette, including a 1970s bamboo coffee table, an early-20th-century wicker bistro chair, and a minimal George Nelson for Herman Miller daybed upholstered in an olive Pierre Frey mohair jacquard. —Laura May Todd, Architectural Digest, 6 Jan. 2025

Hayek kept her color palette deep and sumptuous: a dark cat eye with emerald green eyeshadow, full eyebrows, and a nude lip. —Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 6 Jan. 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

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