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 There is no plot, no set, only dramatic lighting by Brandon Stirling Baker and simple costumes by Zac Posen in a palette of blues and grays, with the exception of a glamorous red dress for Mira Nadon. Jennifer Homans, The New Yorker, 4 Mar. 2024 That explosive red and brown palette was put in Polachek’s own melting pot of inspiration along with medieval silhouettes and textured, artisanal antiques. Alice Newbold, Vogue, 2 Mar. 2024 But Burn’s palette of sounds holds the focus — sometimes desperate to be detected, more often impossible to ignore. Michael Andor Brodeur, Washington Post, 28 Feb. 2024 Pat McGrath Labs Daring Desire Eye Quad Is there any makeup more coveted than a Pat McGrath Labs eyeshadow palette? Celia Shatzman, Forbes, 27 Feb. 2024 Each has provided paintings, photographs, sculptures, and even installations for spaces that glow with a woody, analog warmth, inspired by the muted palette of a 1920s West Berlin apartment. Rick Jordan, Condé Nast Traveler, 26 Feb. 2024 The Importance of a Theoretical Foundation Control engineers require a broad palette of skills in both electronics and programming, Borkowski says. IEEE Spectrum, 25 Feb. 2024 The interior’s relaxed color palette of soft peaches, greens, and blues mirror the hues of Barbados itself and natural fiber rugs crafted from jute and sisal add textures that evoke the feeling of walking on sand. Anna Kim, Robb Report, 22 Feb. 2024 The beautiful Revival Dawn Ombre Wool Rug is handmade to look like a sunrise with a color palette of rose quartz, dusty rose, and taupe. Alida Nugent, Better Homes & Gardens, 20 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 19 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

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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