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palette

noun
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pal·​ette | \ ˈpa-lət How to pronounce palette (audio) \

Definition of palette

1 : a thin oval or rectangular board or tablet that a painter holds and mixes pigments on
2a : 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

Examples of palette in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Contemporary comic-book movies are notorious for their bland visual palette, necessitated by budget and timing demands to keep a stream of superheroes flooding into theaters every few months. — David Sims, The Atlantic, "30 Movies That Are Unlike Anything You’ve Seen Before," 23 May 2020 How precious are the signs of what these people actually did, whether open books or sextants or carpenter’s tools; the piano that graces a grave in the City of London, Hogarth’s tomb in Chiswick with his palette and brushes. — 1843, "Can words do the dead justice?," 21 May 2020 Though his palette is plainly Italian, Osso is working in plenty of creative touches. — Dominic Armato, azcentral, "Scottsdale has a new haven for Neapolitan pizza fans. Here's what to know about Pizzeria Virtu," 15 May 2020 Each of the teens in the story also has their own color palette. — Valentina Valentini, Marie Claire, "How 'Little Fires Everywhere' Became a Time Capsule of the '90s," 30 Mar. 2020 At the symposium, New York landscape designer Hanna Packer brought her own palette of underused perennials. — Adrian Higgins, Washington Post, "It’s time to plan the new season’s garden, and it pays to be picky," 11 Mar. 2020 Today, Jeffree released his new Bloodlust eyeshadow palette (velvet packaging, neons, hints of holo, etc.) and Nikkie did a review of her own. — Kelsey Stiegman, Seventeen, "Jeffree Star and NikkieTutorisls Seem to Be Mending Their Friendship," 21 Feb. 2020 Situated on three-quarters of an acre, the home features a soft monochromatic palette, clean lines and custom white oak wood flooring. — Dallas News, "Victor Myers design ready in Flower Mound," 17 May 2020 Choose a color palette, and edit it for a cohesive look. — Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "7 ways to improve your home's curb appeal, for all those now walking by," 14 May 2020

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.

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First Known Use of palette

1622, in the meaning defined at sense 1

History and Etymology for palette

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

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Time Traveler for palette

Time Traveler

The first known use of palette was in 1622

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Statistics for palette

Last Updated

4 Jun 2020

Cite this Entry

“Palette.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/palette. Accessed 5 Jun. 2020.

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More Definitions for palette

palette

noun
How to pronounce palette (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of palette

: 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

See the full definition for palette in the English Language Learners Dictionary

palette

noun
pal·​ette | \ ˈpa-lət How to pronounce palette (audio) \

Kids Definition of palette

1 : a thin board or tablet on which a painter puts and mixes colors
2 : the set of colors that an artist is using

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More from Merriam-Webster on palette

Rhyming Dictionary: Words that rhyme with palette

Spanish Central: Translation of palette

Nglish: Translation of palette for Spanish Speakers

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