mellow Meaning & Definition
What Does Mellow Mean?
Mellow is an adjective that means Soft or tender by reason of ripeness; having a tender pulp. It can also mean Matured and smooth, and not acidic, harsh, or sharp. As a noun, it means The property of being mellow; mellowness. As a verb, it means To cause (fruit) to become soft or tender, specifically by ripening. To cause (food or drink, for example, cheese or wine, or its flavour) to become matured and smooth, and not acidic, harsh, or sharp. To soften (land or soil) and make it suitable for planting in. To reduce or remove the harshness or roughness from (something); to soften, to subdue, to tone down. To cause (a person) to become calmer, gentler, and more understanding, particularly from age or experience.
Mellow: Key Facts
| Part of speech | adjective, noun, verb |
|---|---|
| Pronunciation | //ˈmɛləʊ// |
| Syllables | 1 |
| Synonyms | soft, high and easygoing |
| Plural | mellows |
| Comparative / superlative | mellower, mellowest |
| Verb forms | mellows, mellowing, mellowed |
Mellow Definition (Adjective)
- Soft or tender by reason of ripeness; having a tender pulp.
a mellow apple
- Matured and smooth, and not acidic, harsh, or sharp.
- Soft and easily penetrated or worked; not hard or rigid; loamy.
- Mature; of crops: ready to be harvested; ripe. Fruitful and warm.
- Mature; of crops: ready to be harvested; ripe.
- Fruitful and warm.
- Not coarse, brash, harsh, or rough; delicate, rich, soft, subdued.
:
- Senses relating to a person or their qualities.
Well-matured from age or experience; not impetuous or impulsive; calm, dignified, gentle.
:
- Well-matured from age or experience; not impetuous or impulsive; calm, dignified, gentle.
- Cheerful, genial, jovial, merry; also, easygoing, laid-back, calm, relaxed.
:
- Drunk, intoxicated; especially slightly or pleasantly so, or to an extent that makes one cheerful and friendly.
- Pleasantly high or stoned, and relaxed after taking drugs; also, of drugs: slightly intoxicating and tending to produce such effects.
- Pleasing in some way; excellent, fantastic, great.
Mellow as a Noun
- The property of being mellow; mellowness.
- A comfortable or relaxed mood.
- Also main mellow: a close friend or lover.
Mellow as a Verb
- To cause (fruit) to become soft or tender, specifically by ripening.
To cause (food or drink, for example, cheese or wine, or its flavour) to become matured and smooth, and not acidic, harsh, or sharp.
To soften (land or soil) and make it suitable for planting in.
To reduce or remove the harshness or roughness from (something); to soften, to subdue, to tone down.
To cause (a person) to become calmer, gentler, and more understanding, particularly from age or experience.
The fervour of early feeling is tempered and mellowed by the ripeness of age.
- To cause (fruit) to become soft or tender, specifically by ripening.
- To cause (food or drink, for example, cheese or wine, or its flavour) to become matured and smooth, and not acidic, harsh, or sharp.
- To soften (land or soil) and make it suitable for planting in.
- To reduce or remove the harshness or roughness from (something); to soften, to subdue, to tone down.
To cause (a person) to become calmer, gentler, and more understanding, particularly from age or experience.
The fervour of early feeling is tempered and mellowed by the ripeness of age.
- To reduce or remove the harshness or roughness from (something); to soften, to subdue, to tone down.
- To cause (a person) to become calmer, gentler, and more understanding, particularly from age or experience.
The fervour of early feeling is tempered and mellowed by the ripeness of age.
- To cause (a person) to become slightly or pleasantly drunk or intoxicated.
- Followed by out: to relax (a person); in particular, to cause (a person) to become pleasantly high or stoned by taking drugs.
- To mature and lose its harshness or sharpness. To be rendered soft and suitable for planting in. To lose harshness; to become gentler, subdued, or toned down. To relax; in particular, to become pleasantly high or stoned by taking drugs.
- To mature and lose its harshness or sharpness.
- To be rendered soft and suitable for planting in.
- To lose harshness; to become gentler, subdued, or toned down. To relax; in particular, to become pleasantly high or stoned by taking drugs.
- To lose harshness; to become gentler, subdued, or toned down.
- To relax; in particular, to become pleasantly high or stoned by taking drugs.
Noun
- A relaxed mood.
Verb
- To make mellow; to relax or soften.
The fervour of early feeling is tempered and mellowed by the ripeness of age.
- To become mellow.
Adjective
- Easily worked or penetrated; not hard or rigid.
a mellow soil
- Not coarse, rough, or harsh; subdued, soft, rich, delicate; said of sound, color, flavor, style, etc.
- Well matured; softened by years; genial; jovial.
- Relaxed; calm; easygoing; laid-back.
- Warmed by liquor, slightly intoxicated, stoned, or high.
Synonyms of Mellow
Antonyms of Mellow
No antonyms or near antonyms are listed by the available sources for this entry.
Mellow in a Sentence
a mellow apple
:
The fervour of early feeling is tempered and mellowed by the ripeness of age.
a mellow soil
Word Forms & Grammar
mellow (comparative mellower or more mellow, superlative mellowest or most mellow)
mellow (plural mellows)
mellow (third-person singular simple present mellows, present participle mellowing, simple past and past participle mellowed)
Words That Rhyme With Mellow
Origin of Mellow
Origin 1: The adjective is derived from Late Middle English melowe, melwe (“ripe, mellow; juicy; sweet”) [and other forms];[1] further etymology uncertain, possibly:[2]
Origin 2: The noun and verb are both derived from the adjective.[7][8] The etymology of noun sense 3 (“close friend; lover”) is unknown, but may also be derived from the adjective.[9]
Pronouncing Mellow
Mellow is pronounced //ˈmɛləʊ// and has 1 syllable.
Frequently Asked Questions About Mellow
Is mellow an adjective or a noun?
Mellow is mainly used as an adjective, but it can also be used as a noun and a verb.
What is another word for mellow?
Close synonyms of mellow are soft, high and easygoing. See the full list of mellow synonyms and antonyms.
What is the plural of mellow?
The plural of mellow is mellows.
What is the past tense of mellow?
The past tense of mellow is mellowed. The present participle is mellowing.
What are the comparative and superlative forms of mellow?
The comparative form is mellower and the superlative form is mellowest.