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

Erivo kept it consistent with the play’s overall color palette, opting for a red-and-black ensemble. —Karla Rodriguez, Footwear News, 18 Feb. 2026

The designs featured corsets, bustles, feathers, ruffles, and a limited color palette of black, white and tan, with a splash of red. —Anika Reed, USA Today, 18 Feb. 2026

Suddenly, the palette is ash and grey reflecting the aftermath. —Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 18 Feb. 2026

Fortunately, even among these aesthetic shifts, Taos Taupe by Benjamin Moore still serves as a beautiful neutral and pairs well with leathers and a rich, accenting color palette. —Wendy Rose Gould, Martha Stewart, 17 Feb. 2026

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