mellow

[ mel-oh ]

adjective

, mel·low·er, mel·low·est.

1. soft, sweet, and full-flavored from ripeness, as fruit.

   Antonyms: green, raw, immature

2. well-matured, as wines.
3. soft and rich, as sound, tones, color, or light.

   Antonyms: harsh

4. made gentle and compassionate by age or maturity; softened.
5. friable or loamy, as soil.
6. mildly and pleasantly intoxicated or high.
7. pleasantly agreeable; free from tension, discord, etc.:

   a mellow neighborhood.

8. affably relaxed; easygoing; genial:

   a mellow teacher who is very popular with her students.

verb (used with or without object)

1. to make or become mellow.

   Synonyms: improve, mature, develop

noun

1. Slang. a state, atmosphere, or mood of ease and gentle relaxation.

verb phrase

1. Slang.
   1. to become detached from worry, strife, stress, etc.; relax:

      After final exams let's go down to the beach and mellow out.

   2. to make more relaxed, agreeable, workable, etc.; soften or smooth:

      Chopin really mellows me out when I'm feeling tense.

mellow

/ ˈmɛləʊ /

adjective

1. (esp of fruits) full-flavoured; sweet; ripe
2. (esp of wines) well-matured
3. (esp of colours or sounds) soft or rich
4. kind-hearted, esp through maturity or old age
5. genial, as through the effects of alcohol
6. (of soil) soft and loamy

verb

1. to make or become mellow; soften; mature
2. foll by out to become calm and relaxed or (esp of a drug) to have a calming or relaxing effect on (someone)

Derived Forms

• ˈmellowness, noun
• ˈmellowly, adverb

Other Words From

• mellow·ly adverb
• mellow·ness noun
• over·mellow adjective
• over·mellow·ly adverb
• over·mellow·ness noun
• un·mellow adjective
• un·mellowed adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of mellow¹

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English mel(o)we, alteration (perhaps by dissimilation, in phrase meruw fruit ) of Middle English meruw, Old English meru “soft”

Word History and Origins

Origin of mellow¹

C15: perhaps from Old English meru soft (as through ripeness)

Synonym Study

See ripe.

Example Sentences

The hall should, over time, open up sonically and, with luck, mellow.

From Los Angeles Times

“And he’s crazy and low and mellow,” she adds, nodding toward Tim.

From Los Angeles Times

It’s something like London rap or it’s something super mellow.

From Los Angeles Times

Something mellow but a little upbeat.

From Los Angeles Times

Secondly, nothing is added to mellow, like a creamy dressing or chunks of avocado.

From Salon

Related Words

• soften
• sweeten