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

Danish label Malene Birger focused on flowing silhouettes and a color palette of cream, sand, butter yellow, chocolate brown, and soft earth tones. — Miriam Nehring, Glamour, 7 Aug. 2026

Designed to feel more like island residential living, all accommodations include a kitchen, in-unit washer and dryer, and private outdoor space set against a palette of deep earth tones and splashes of aqua blue. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 4 Aug. 2026

Joe’s palette will mature into saturated earth tones and jewel shades—specifically rich chocolate browns and deep burgundy and olive. — Angela Velasquez, Footwear News, 29 July 2026

The property’s design brings the area’s natural beauty in, with rich wood and stone accents plus deep earth tones that draw inspiration from the park just outside. — Elizabeth Rhodes, Travel + Leisure, 27 July 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