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.
Now, adidas is also proving that hiking boots don’t have to look boring, since the brand’s perfect-for-fall versions are attractive as can be, what with their mingling of brown with other earth tones. Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 21 Oct. 2025 Meanwhile, Gigi and Bella channeled springtime earth tones in elegant green frocks. Edward Segarra, USA Today, 21 Oct. 2025 Leopard Print Fall is a time to pull out rich earth tones like chocolate, mustard, burnt orange, bold red, merlot purples, and maritime navies. Kelsey Glennon, Travel + Leisure, 4 Oct. 2025 One driven by style (a moody palette of earth tones sets the scene for the three-story inn) and by booking the hottest dinner reservation in town (the fine dining restaurant, Matilda, is one worth traveling for). Elly Leavitt, Vogue, 1 Oct. 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 29 Oct. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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