earth tone

noun

: any of various rich colors containing some brown
When fashion becomes elaborate, makeup colors take a quieter stance. Earth tones in particular—mustard, cocoa, taupe, and wheat—are well suited to this monochromatic look.Anna Quinn
From the mellow earth tones of old stone walls to the brilliant colors of space-age titanium, the bodegas of Spain's most prestigious wine region embody a dynamic culture of architecture …Mike DeSimone and Jeff Jenssen
earth-toned adjective

Examples of earth tone in a Sentence

She wears a lot of earth tones.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Apartment in Bastille, 11th Arrondissement Photo: Courtesy of Airbnb Awash in natural light and decorated with soothing earth tones and textures, this peaceful apartment in Bastille is the perfect respite from a day touring the city. Elise Taylor, Vogue, 19 Mar. 2025 Bring in warm earth tones through wall paint, window treatments, or a tiled backsplash, layer in natural texture through accents such as rattan baskets or wooden bread boards, and add touches of crisp white to maintain a clean and updated look. Maria Sabella, Better Homes & Gardens, 6 Mar. 2025 The firm’s concept plays with contrasts—light and dark, soft and structured—while maintaining cohesion through a palette of warm earth tones and sleek black accents. Dan Howarth, Architectural Digest, 30 Jan. 2025 There was also a 20-something guy in earth tones — khaki pants and a roll-neck sweater — standing with a friend. Dionne Searcey, New York Times, 10 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for earth tone

Word History

First Known Use

1973, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of earth tone was in 1973

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Earth tone.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/earth%20tone. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!