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

The black-and-white palette is easy to match with fall tops, including sweaters and T-shirts. — Nicol Natale, PEOPLE, 2 Nov. 2026

Makeup artist Charlie Riddle worked within Pidgeon’s preferred palette of warm, skin-enhancing neutrals. — Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 30 Oct. 2026

The painterly storybook scenic design by Ann Beyersdorfer, engineered for maximum efficiency, is also lovely and blends beautifully with the Loquasto’s color palette. — Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 29 Oct. 2026

Think Serena & Lily with a Mayan inflection and a more vibrant color palette. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 29 Oct. 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