# palette

/ˈpæɫət/ (US) · /pˈælət/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/palette
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. artist's mixing board

noun · CEFR B2

a thin board, often with a hole for the thumb, that an artist uses to hold and mix paint.

For teachers: a thin, portable board on which a painter lays and mixes pigments.

- The painter held his palette in one hand while carefully mixing a shade of sunset orange.
- The artist's wooden palette was encrusted with layers of dried oil paint, a testament to decades of work in the same studio.

### 2. range of colours

noun · CEFR B2

the specific set of colours used by an artist or designer for a particular project.

For teachers: the range of colours used by a particular artist or in a specific work of art or design.

- The designer chose a palette of soft blues and greys for the bedroom.
- The film's muted palette effectively conveys the somber atmosphere of the post-war setting.

### 3. makeup set

noun · CEFR B2

a small tray or case that contains several different colours of makeup, like eyeshadow.

For teachers: a collection of cosmetics, such as eyeshadows or lip colours, packaged together in a single container.

- She bought a new eyeshadow palette with shimmering gold and brown tones.
- Professional makeup artists often carry a versatile palette that allows them to blend custom shades for different skin tones.

### 4. software interface

noun · CEFR C1 · Technical

a window or bar in a computer program where you can choose colours or tools.

For teachers: a graphical user interface element that provides a selection of colours, tools, or commands.

- You can change the brush size by selecting a different option from the tool palette.
- The software update introduced a floating palette, allowing users to access frequently used filters without navigating the main menu.

### 5. armour plate

noun · CEFR C2 · Archaic

a piece of metal armour used in the past to protect the joints of the arms.

For teachers: a small plate of armour designed to protect the joints at the elbows or shoulders.

- The knight's suit included a palette to protect his shoulder during the tournament.
- The museum's collection features a rare fourteenth-century harness with the original palettes still attached to the pauldrons.

## Examples

- The designer chose a warm palette of oranges and browns for the website.
- Before starting the mural, the artist spent hours mixing custom shades on her wooden palette to ensure the colors were perfect.
- The film's visual impact relies on a restricted color palette of desaturated blues and greys, which effectively mirrors the protagonist's growing sense of isolation and despair.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.