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.
The Princess of Wales paid a visit to Hiut Denim textile manufacturer, wearing a coordinated look with earth tones and warm reds throughout. Julia Teti, Footwear News, 3 Feb. 2026 Amid the earth tones' rising popularity, my first dark brown sweater actually landed in my wardrobe last winter—inspired, among other things, by Jennifer Lawrence. Katharina Fuchs, Glamour, 1 Feb. 2026 From warm neutrals to deep earth tones, designers agree that countertops in 2026 will strike a delicate balance between sophisticated and unexpectedly playful. Cori Sears, The Spruce, 30 Jan. 2026 Fall is all about rich earth tones like browns and camel. Samantha Brash, InStyle, 28 Jan. 2026 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 14 Feb. 2026.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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