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 Choose earth tones like deep green, navy blue, or taupe on the walls, and add texture with Roman clay or Venetian plaster for visual interest. Sharon Greenthal, Better Homes & Gardens, 18 July 2024 For the occasion, Partridge opted for a mix of earth tones punctuated with a woven, banana-yellow belt. Hannah Jackson, Vogue, 17 June 2024 Rich earth tones combine with brass accents, colorful modern wall decor, and white duvets on plush beds for a crisp, welcoming look. Pat Doherty, Travel + Leisure, 17 June 2024 That’s clear in her photography, which features plenty of natural light and warm earth tones. Ad Editors, Architectural Digest, 12 July 2021 See all Example Sentences for earth tone 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'earth tone.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1973, in the meaning defined above

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

Dictionary Entries Near earth tone

Cite this Entry

“Earth tone.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/earth%20tone. Accessed 26 Jul. 2024.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!