palette

noun

pal·​ette ˈpa-lət How to pronounce palette (audio)
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 While white was the predominant color scheme, accents of yellow, light green, and peach created a beautiful palette. Alexandra MacOn, Vogue, 15 Mar. 2024 Keyboardist Brandon Still joined later and, led by Turner, the group started to draw from a musically rich palette. Garret K. Woodward, Rolling Stone, 8 Mar. 2024 High Hopes Ice Cream The Troost ice cream shop has made a new flavor for the stadium called KC Current Obsession, a strawberry cheesecake in the color palette of the team’s teal and red. David Hudnall, Kansas City Star, 7 Mar. 2024 Give the furniture piece a fresh paint job that matches the bathroom's palette, then mount it to the wall over the toilet. Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 Mar. 2024 These long, meandering stretches of stark white sand set the scene for dreamy color palettes of crystalline blues, jungle greens, and earthy clay and wood. Meagan Drillinger, Travel + Leisure, 3 Mar. 2024 Per Knight Frank, the vibrant color palette of the room could have been inspired by his time living in Zanzibar and India as a child. Natalia Senanayake, Peoplemag, 29 Feb. 2024 The residences are designed by SB Architects and Champalimaud Design and will feature organic materials, a neutral color palette, and a classic yet elevated take on traditional Bahamian design. Emma Reynolds, Forbes, 28 Feb. 2024 A lot of the palette had a lot to do with production and costume design. Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 27 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'palette.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of palette was in 1622

Dictionary Entries Near palette

Cite this Entry

“Palette.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/palette. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

palette

noun
pal·​ette ˈpal-ət How to pronounce palette (audio)
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

More from Merriam-Webster on palette

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