2 syllables: Pal, ette. Stress on Pal.
PAL-uht
/ˈpælət/
Palette is pronounced PAL-uht (/ˈpælət/). It has two syllables (Pal-ette), with the stress on "Pal". Palette (noun) refers to a flat, typically wooden or plastic board on which an artist places and mixes colors, or a range of colors used in a particular work or scheme. It can also describe a cosmetic collection of shades. The term emphasizes the surface for blending pigments rather than the pigments themselves.
nounPalette (noun) refers to a flat, typically wooden or plastic board on which an artist places and mixes colors, or a range of colors used in a particular work or scheme. It can also describe a cosmetic collection of shades. The term emphasizes the surface for blending pigments rather than the pigments themselves.
- You might merge the /ɪ/ into a quicker /ɪt/ cluster, making it sound like /ˈpælɪt/ with a weak second vowel. Practice by isolating /ɪ/ with a light, crisp release before /t/. - Another frequent error is overpronouncing the second syllable into a full /iː/ like 'palette' in some languages, which disturbs the natural rhythm. Use a short, lax /ɪ/. - Finally, some speakers stress the second syllable by mistake, yielding /ˈpælˌɪt/. Remind yourself the stress is on the first syllable: /ˈpæl.ɪt/.
"The painter arranged his brushes and swatches on the palette before starting."
"She chose a cool-toned palette for the room to create a calm atmosphere."
"The makeup artist tested several foundation shades on the palette before applying them to the model."
Palette is pronounced PA-let, with two syllables and stress on the first. IPA: US /ˈpæl.ɪt/, UK /ˈpæl.ɪt/, AU /ˈpæl.ɪt/. The first syllable uses the short a as in cat, followed by a light, unstressed second syllable that sounds like -lit. In careful speech, keep the /l/ clear and avoid blending the second vowel into a diphthong.
Common errors include saying /ˈpælˌeɪt/ with a long second vowel, which blends toward 'paint' rather than the short 'i' sound; or pronouncing it as 'pal-let' with weak first syllable stress. Another mistake is dropping syllables entirely and saying /ˈpæl/ or misplacing stress. To correct, ensure the first syllable has a clear /æ/ and stress, and the second syllable uses a short /ɪ/ before a final /t/: /ˈpæl.ɪt/.
In US/UK/AU, the primary stress remains on the first syllable /ˈpæl.ɪt/. The difference lies in vowel quality: US often has a broader /æ/ and a small schwa in the second syllable; UK may produce a slightly crisper /æ/ and a more rhotic? typically non-rhotic accents may affect linking; AU tends toward similar US timing but with vowel height slightly higher or tenser. Overall, the consonants /p/, /l/, and /t/ are consistent across regions.
The difficulty stems from the short, tense first vowel /æ/ followed by a quick, unstressed /ɪ/ in the second syllable, so many speakers blend it toward /ˈpæl.eɪt/ or /ˈpæl.ət/. The cluster /lɪ/ can be subtle, and the final /t/ can be unreleased in casual speech, causing a softer end. Focusing on a clear, discrete second syllable /-ɪt/ helps prevent vowel reduction and keeps the two-syllable rhythm.
The unique aspect is the second syllable’s short, clipped vowel after a stressed opening. You’ll want to keep the /ɪ/ clearer than a full /iː/ and avoid turning it into a long vowel or merging with a following /t/. In careful speech, produce /ˈpæl.ɪt/ with precise lips and a final touch of voicing for the /t/.
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Palette derives from Middle French palette, meaning a small shovel or scoop, from Old French pala, pale, a blunt blade or shovel. The origin is linked to painting and tools used for mixing colors. The word evolved in the painting domain during the 16th–17th centuries as artists adopted a flat board to hold pigments and facilitate mixing. The modern English sense to describe a board for colors (art supplies) aligns with the object’s functional purpose of holding mixed pigments. The term also extended to figurative uses, such as a palette of colors in design and fashion, highlighting a curated range of hues. First known use in English for the artist’s board appears in early modern painting treatises, with references common in 17th-century manuals. Over time, the concept broadened to cosmetics, where cosmetic palettes mimic the same idea of organized color shades on a compact or tray, integrating the term into non-paint contexts as well.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "Palette" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "Palette" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "Palette"
-let sounds
-et? sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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