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

Deep terracotta, forest green, charcoal, and rich blues are increasingly replacing muted palettes, helping create spaces with atmosphere and character. —Angelika Pokovba, Martha Stewart, 14 June 2026

Cox kept the footwear in the same severe black palette. —Maggie Clancy, Footwear News, 14 June 2026

Each year for Trooping the Colour, Catherine, Princess of Wales has turned out a look that embraces summer’s prettiest color palette and features some kind of sentimental detail. —Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 13 June 2026

The color palette reflects an extravagance the duo had on their side—two whole years to redo the space’s layout and interior. —Nicolas Milon, Architectural Digest, 13 June 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