earth tone

noun

Any of a range of neutral colors reminiscent of natural materials, including soil, stone, and plants.

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Meanings

nounearth tone (plural earth tones)

plural earth tones

  1. Any of a range of neutral colors reminiscent of natural materials, including soil, stone, and plants.

    Muted terra cotta hues in floor tiles anchor the collection of earth tones.

    2008, Jack D. Neith, Great Kitchens, page 8
    2 more examples

    Earth tones in primitive, rough, natural forms, such as rocks, fossils, nuts, and shells, suggest our tribal ancestry.

    2012, Margie Deeb, The Beader's Guide to Color, page 32

    Fall sets the stage for earth tones that are used to advantage in this painting.

    2012, Lexi Sundell, The Acrylic Artist's Guide to Exceptional Colour, page 101
Cite this entry
APA

earth tone. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 4, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/earth%20tone

MLA

“earth tone.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/earth%20tone. Accessed November 4, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “earth tone,” accessed November 4, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/earth%20tone.

Source: earth tone on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.