earth tone

noun

: any of various rich colors containing some brown

When fashion becomes elaborate, makeup colors take a quieter stance. Earth tones in particular—mustard, cocoa, taupe, and wheat—are well suited to this monochromatic look.

—Anna Quinn

From the mellow earth tones of old stone walls to the brilliant colors of space-age titanium, the bodegas of Spain's most prestigious wine region embody a dynamic culture of architecture …

—Mike DeSimone and Jeff Jenssen

earth-toned

ˈərth-ˌtōnd 

adjective

Examples of earth tone in a Sentence

She wears a lot of earth tones.

Recent Examples on the Web

Modern Japandi bedroom interior design in earth tones, natural textures with wooden solid oak furniture. —R. Daniel Foster, Forbes.com, 27 Jan. 2026

Jewel and earth tones mix for a color palette that pops tastefully with a kind of warm minimalism. —Paul Oswell, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Jan. 2026

Complementing the cozy layering pieces is a warm color palette of neutrals and earth tones like chocolate brown, olive, camel and gray, punctuated with pops of bright pink, burgundy, green and blue. —Fairchild Studio, Footwear News, 20 Jan. 2026

Belgian Flax Linen Waffle Comforter Shams Warm colors are in this year—especially earth tones. —Caley Sturgill, Southern Living, 17 Jan. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1973, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for earth tone

• alone
• atone
• backbone
• bemoan
• bluestone
• breastbone
• brownstone
• capstone
• cheekbone
• condone
• curbstone
• cyclone