mellow

[mel-oh]

adjective

mellower, mellowest 

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. mellow out

   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)

Other Word Forms

• mellowly adverb
• mellowness noun
• overmellow adjective
• overmellowly adverb
• overmellowness noun
• unmellow adjective
• unmellowed 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

Dairy is one simple route: a dollop of sour cream, a spoonful of yogurt or labneh can mellow richness while adding subtle tang.

From Salon

The threat of showers and thunderstorms is expected to continue through at least the first half of Friday before the turbulent weather gives way to a mellow, dry weekend.

From Los Angeles Times

“Lurker” is a teeth-grittingly great dramedy that insists there’s more tension in the entourage of a mellow hipster than a king.

From Los Angeles Times

In Sudan’s case, she has outsmarted the risk of succumbing to tradition, and the freedom has raised and mellowed all stakes.

From Los Angeles Times

But he’s since mellowed, even giving press episodes early to screen.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• delicate 
• savory 
• soft 
• soothing 
• sweet 

When To Use

What does mellow mean?

Mellow means soft, sweet, and full of flavor, usually in reference to ripe fruits.Mellow can also mean well matured, especially in reference to wine.Mellow can also mean soft and rich, usually in reference to sound, color, or musical tone.And mellow can describe a mild and pleasant intoxication or high.You’ll also see mellow used in reference to people. A mellow person is usually easy-going and relaxed. If they’ve mellowed over time, they’ve become more relaxed.In slang, mellow means a mood or atmosphere of relaxation. You might hear something like “Don’t harsh my mellow,” meaning “Don’t spoil my good mood.”Example: Luis became much more mellow after they left their stressful job.