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 adjective

Examples of earth tone in a Sentence

She wears a lot of earth tones.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Indicative of influences such as Georgia O’Keefe’s 1930s paintings and Frank Lloyd Wright’s Taliesen, Sunbaked Hues argues that sun, sand, and fire are just as worthy of a place in those design conversations alongside watery blues, floral greens, and grounding earth tones. Tim Nelson, Architectural Digest, 24 Sep. 2025 Rich earth tones lean into the season’s palette, while hobo shapes and mini shoulder bags feel especially of-the-moment. Rosie Marder, Travel + Leisure, 23 Sep. 2025 The interior design is characterized by a refined aesthetic with high-quality materials such as marble, wood and metal, the palette inspired by earth tones. Andrea Onate, Footwear News, 23 Sep. 2025 Set in muted earth tones in the North Chicago suburbs, Ordinary People focuses on an affluent Waspy family grappling with the death of one son and suicide attempt of the other, who blames himself for his brother’s accidental death. Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 17 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for earth tone

Word History

First Known Use

1973, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of earth tone was in 1973

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Cite this Entry

“Earth tone.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/earth%20tone. Accessed 30 Sep. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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