Pantone Picks White for 2026 Color of the Year
Warm-up Questions: (1) What is your favorite color? (2) Do you like the color white? What does white mean to you?
Pantone, the world's color expert, has chosen its Color of the Year for 2026. The color is white. More exactly, it is a shade of white called Cloud Dancer. Pantone has picked a Color of the Year every year since 1999. The color shows what the company thinks will be popular in the coming year. It also shows the mood of the world.
Pantone says Cloud Dancer brings calm and peaceful feelings. The company says society is finding the value of quiet again. In 2026, this white color will appear on many products, from smartphones to furniture and even Play-Doh.
This is the first time the company has chosen a white color. However, it is not the first time they picked a color to help people feel less stressed. In 2011, the color was Honeysuckle, a pink meant to lift spirits. In 2010, a calm turquoise was chosen. And in 2024, Peach Fuzz was the color to help people care for themselves.
Pantone's Color of the Year can influence fashion, design, and lifestyle trends. People on social media have different feelings about Cloud Dancer. Some are interested, but others are unhappy with the choice.
How does Pantone choose the color? It is mostly a secret. Color experts at Pantone talk all year about design trends. They say the goal is not to push one color but to show how powerful color can be.
Published:
Sources: npr.org, edition.cnn.com
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Audio
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Pantone says Cloud Dancer brings (3) __________ and peaceful feelings. The company says society is finding the value of quiet again. In 2026, this white color will appear on many products, from smartphones to furniture and even Play-Doh.
This is the first time the company has chosen a white color. However, it is not the first time they picked a color to help people feel less stressed. In 2011, the color was Honeysuckle, a pink meant to lift spirits. In 2010, a calm turquoise was chosen. And in 2024, Peach Fuzz was the color to help people care for themselves.
Pantone's Color of the Year can influence fashion, design, and lifestyle (4) __________. People on (5) __________ have different feelings about Cloud Dancer. Some are interested, but others are unhappy with the choice.
How does Pantone choose the color? It is mostly a (6) __________. Color experts at Pantone talk all year about design trends. They say the goal is not to push one color but to show how powerful color can be.
Comprehension
Answer each question by selecting True or False, then click Check Answers to see your results.
Comprehension
1. Pantone chooses a Color of the Year every year. TRUE/FALSE
2. This is the second time Pantone has chosen white. TRUE/FALSE
3. The color Cloud Dancer is meant to help people feel calm. TRUE/FALSE
4. Everyone on social media loves the choice of white. TRUE/FALSE
Vocabulary n = noun, v = verb, adj = adjective, adv = adverb, prep = preposition, phr. v = phrasal verb, pl = plural
Drag each vocabulary word to its matching definition:
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Vocabulary
Match each vocabulary word with a definition:
1. Shade (n)
2. Popular (adj)
3. Calm (adj)
4. Trend (n)
5. Influence (v)
6. Social media (n)
7. Powerful (adj)
8. Expert (n)
a) A person who knows a lot about a particular subject.
b) Having a strong effect or great ability.
c) Websites and apps where people share posts and talk to each other.
d) To have an effect on how someone or something develops or behaves.
e) A popular style or direction that many people follow.
f) Peaceful and quiet, without worry.
g) Liked or enjoyed by many people.
h) A particular type or form of a color.
Discussion
- Are you happy with Pantone's choice of white as the Color of the Year?
- If you could choose a color for the Color of the Year, what color would you choose?
- Do colors affect how you feel? Which ones make you feel good?
- Have you noticed that one color is very popular in fashion or design lately?
- How important is color coordination to you? Do you have matching clothes, shoes, and other things?
- Do you care about the colors of your food? What foods are white?
- What products in your home have calming colors?
- Is it important for companies to follow color trends?
- What color will your next phone be?
- Why do designers use names for colors like Cloud Dancer, Honeysuckle, and Peach Fuzz? Are they more exciting than just using the color name?
Answers
Listening:
- expert
- shade
- calm
- trends
- social media
- secret
Comprehension:
- True. The article says Pantone has chosen a Color of the Year every year since 1999.
- False. 2026 is the first time Pantone has chosen a shade of white for Color of the Year.
- True. The article says Pantone wants the color to bring calm and peaceful feelings.
- False. Reactions on social media have been mixed, with some people interested and some upset.
Vocabulary:
- Shade (n): A particular type or form of a color.
- Popular (adj): Liked or enjoyed by many people.
- Calm (adj): Peaceful and quiet, without worry.
- Trend (n): A popular style or direction that many people follow.
- Influence (v): To have an effect on how someone or something develops or behaves.
- Social media (n): Websites and apps where people share posts and talk to each other.
- Powerful (adj): Having a strong effect or great ability.
- Expert (n): A person who knows a lot about a particular subject.