palette

noun

pal·​ette ˈpa-lət 

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

Examples of palette in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Indoors is all warm palettes, rich tilework, and high ceilings, with the murmuring of locals and guests swiping the last of their basil-green fusilli with creamy stracciatella. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 1 Aug. 2026

Summer itself also proved to be another major source of inspiration, with IWC, Zenith, Glashütte, and Hublot dropping watches in cool, blue hues perfectly in keeping with the bolder color palettes favored by most in the warmer months. — Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 31 July 2026

The buttery yellow is soft enough to feel like a neutral, though a white version is equally timeless if your palette leans quieter. — Vy Yang, Architectural Digest, 31 July 2026

Incorporating the orange hues and color palette of the album, the video spotlights individuals from various walks of life dancing together to the title track of the record. — Jaden Thompson, Footwear News, 31 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

1622, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing palette

• palette knife

Rhymes for palette

• alate
• ballot
• fallot
• mallet
• palate
• pallet
• shallot

Kids Definition

palette

noun

pal·​ette ˈpal-ət 

1

: a thin usually oval board or tablet with a hole for the thumb at one end used by a painter to lay and mix pigments on

2

: the colors put on the palette