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.
Leopard Print Fall is a time to pull out rich earth tones like chocolate, mustard, burnt orange, bold red, merlot purples, and maritime navies. Kelsey Glennon, Travel + Leisure, 4 Oct. 2025 One driven by style (a moody palette of earth tones sets the scene for the three-story inn) and by booking the hottest dinner reservation in town (the fine dining restaurant, Matilda, is one worth traveling for). Elly Leavitt, Vogue, 1 Oct. 2025 Target’s fall launches include fun textures like suede and chiffon, as well as rich earth tones of deep burgundy and bold plaid patterns. Shea Simmons, Southern Living, 29 Sep. 2025 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 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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Earth tone.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/earth%20tone. Accessed 9 Oct. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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