palette

noun pal·ette \ ˈpa-lət \

Updated on: 25 Apr 2018

Definition of palette

1 : a thin oval or rectangular board or tablet that a painter holds and mixes pigments on

2 a : the set of colors put on the palette

b (1) : a particular range, quality, or use of color

The designer's palette consisted mostly of earth tones.

(2) : a comparable range, quality, or use of available elements

a rich palette of tones and timbres

a palette of flavors

a palette of vegetables

See palette defined for English-language learners

See palette defined for kids

Recent Examples of palette from the Web

The Kourt x Kylie collection consists of three mini palettes and three lipsticks.

— kayleigh roberts, Marie Claire, "Kylie Jenner Gave Fans a Preview of Every Single Product in the Kourt x Kylie Collection," 19 Apr. 2018
The couple kept all the walls white and the decor simple with a neutral color palette.

— birmingham magazine, AL.com, "See this modern home redesign in an historic neighborhood," 18 Apr. 2018
Just like modern, stick to a monochromatic palette.

— Detroit Free Press, "Everything you need to know about modern and contemporary design," 16 Apr. 2018
An initial color palette of pastel hues of pink, lilac, and mint established a childlike spirit.

— brandon t. harden, Philly.com, "'On Your Feet!': A sizzling celebration of Latin-American music and dance," 12 Apr. 2018
Both of the palettes were put to work to create Washington’s playful look at the Vanity Fair Oscar party.

— shannon barbour, The Cut, "Here’s Kerry Washington’s First Makeup Collection," 9 Apr. 2018
The costumes are vividly colored and have the glittery, happy glow of Disney: giant white ball gowns and one grand yellow one, enormous powdered wigs, puffy shirts and the somber palette of the beleaguered villagers.

— robin givhan, chicagotribune.com, "When it comes to movie costumes, the Academy has always favored fantasy," 4 Mar. 2018
This is the perfect everyday palette of matte neutral shades, including twelve shadows that give great results when blended onto eyes, bronzed onto cheeks, or used to fill in brows.

— bella gerard, Health.com, "These Are the 13 Products You Need to Snag From Dermstore’s Winter Essentials Sale," 16 Jan. 2018
The dark palette of navy blue, black and gray was inspired by paintings in Amsterdam’s Rijksmuseum and included contrasts of deep cerulean blue, vermillion red and saffron yellow.

— colleen barry, The Seattle Times, "For Prada, black nylon is a safe haven in a storm," 14 Jan. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'palette.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of palette

French, from Middle French, diminutive of pale spade, from Latin pala; probably akin to Latin pangere to fix — more at pact

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1622

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

Other Fine Arts Terms

Gothic, baroque, bas-relief, limn, oeuvre, pastiche, rococo, sfumato

PALETTE Defined for English Language Learners

palette

noun

Definition of palette for English Language Learners

: a thin board that has a hole for the thumb at one end and that is used by a painter to mix colors while painting
: the range of colors used by someone