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 biggest beauty trend of 2025 is all about tapping into your inner color palette. —Ariana Yaptangco, Glamour, 28 Feb. 2025

It is being offered in a neutral palette with styles in ivory and black. —Lisa Lockwood, WWD, 28 Feb. 2025

Work the bright green into a fresh color palette for your spring mantel. —Abby Wolner, Better Homes & Gardens, 26 Feb. 2025

Sanders may pay tribute to the palette of Miyazaki and to classic Disney animation, but his nihilist reflex gives way to commercial sentimentality, reducing morality to manipulation. —Armond White, National Review, 26 Feb. 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