palette
PAL-it
/ˈpælət/
A thin board or slab on which an artist lays and mixes colors; metaphorically, the range of colors used in a particular work or by a particular artist.
In modern graphic design and digital media, 'palette' refers to any curated set of colors chosen for a project or brand.
The story behind the word. The word 'palette' comes from Old French, derived from Provençal 'paleta', a diminutive of Latin 'pala', meaning 'spade' or 'flat blade'. The original physical object was a small, flat wooden shovel-shaped board held by a painter. Over centuries, the meaning expanded from the mixing tool itself to the harmony of colors laid out upon it.
Word relationships
- color scheme: 'Color scheme' is an abstract plan of colors, whereas 'palette' can mean the physical mixing board or the set of colors.
- range: 'Range' is general for variety, whereas 'palette' specifically denotes visual colors.
Commonly confused with
- palate: 'Palate' is the roof of the mouth or sense of taste; 'palette' is an artist's color board.
- pallet: 'Pallet' is a heavy wooden shipping crate platform or simple straw mattress.
Collocations
- color palette
- muted palette
- limited palette
- vibrant palette
- artist's palette
Example sentences
- "The artist squeezed tube paints onto her wooden palette and mixed a delicate flesh tone with a spatula." Traditional Painting
- "The director chose a muted color palette of cool grays and blues to reflect the story's somber atmosphere." Film & Cinematography
Memory hook
A PALETTE holds paint for PALs who love ART. A flat wooden blade holding every shade of color.
When not to use
Do not confuse with 'palate' (roof of the mouth / taste) or 'pallet' (wooden shipping platform).
Fun facts
- In digital design, a 24-bit color palette offers over 16.7 million distinct hues.
- Monet's physical wooden palettes are preserved in museums, showing his exact paint arrangement.
Related words
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