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.
For calming interiors, consider shades of neutral and earth tones. Kristina McGuirk, Better Homes & Gardens, 21 Feb. 2026 Every room is understated and done in grays, white marbles, and earth tones—plus splashes of blue representing Lake Michigan—and comes with one of four types of soaking tubs, all deliciously inviting. Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 20 Feb. 2026 In keeping with the earth tones that seemed to dominate this season, the collection offered buttery brown leather looks, flowery romantic prints, fur accents and other mid-century aesthetic touches. Anika Reed, USA Today, 18 Feb. 2026 Grounding earth tones was a favorite palette of the season, especially in shades of brown, cognac and walnut, punctuated by reds and burgundies. Lisa Lockwood, Footwear News, 17 Feb. 2026 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 24 Feb. 2026.

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!

More from Merriam-Webster