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

The lobby, with its earth tones and chocolate leather armchairs, feels delightfully inviting and residential. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 June 2026

The color palette included shades of blue, earth tones, and accents of red and yellow. — Andrea Onate, Footwear News, 21 June 2026

This easy-to-live-with earth tone is the safest bet across the board. — Michele Laufik, Martha Stewart, 19 June 2026

Pair it with pale blues and garden greens to double up on muted hues, or embrace the cinnamon hue and layer it with earth tones. — Kate McGregor, Architectural Digest, 17 June 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