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

In summer, the bears glow against a palette of blues and greens with daytime temperatures swinging from T-shirt to fleece-level. —Susan Portnoy, AFAR Media, 3 Oct. 2025

That’s why the color palette is key. —Samantha Conti, Footwear News, 3 Oct. 2025

Mix patterns but stick to a limited color palette, like this wallpaper, area rug, stair runner, paint, and accessories in black and white. —Leanne Potts, Better Homes & Gardens, 2 Oct. 2025

Against a palette of softly glitching synth, Zelda flute, and twittering mechanical birds, the song circles feelings of uncertainty about commitment, sacrifice, and choosing one’s true path. —Anna Gaca, Pitchfork, 1 Oct. 2025

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