pristine

[pris-teen, pri-steen, pris-tahyn]

adjective

1. having its original purity; uncorrupted or unsullied.

   Synonyms: untouched, unpolluted

2. of or relating to the earliest period or state; primitive.

pristine

/ ˈprɪstaɪn, -tiːn /

adjective

1. of or involving the earliest period, state, etc; original

2. pure; uncorrupted

3. fresh, clean, and unspoiled

   his pristine new car

Usage

The use of pristine to mean fresh, clean, and unspoiled is considered by some people to be incorrect

Word History and Origins

Origin of pristine¹

First recorded in 1525–35; from Latin pristinus “early”; akin to primus prime

Word History and Origins

Origin of pristine¹

C15: from Latin pristinus primitive; related to prīmus first, _prime

Example Sentences

All four companies have ample cash flow and pristine balance sheets, with easily north of $1 trillion in total borrowing capacity.

Read more on Barron's

The air above Palau's pristine waters smells of salt and breadfruit, and on calm mornings in Koror, Palau's commercial centre, the whirr of dive boat engines echoes across the bay.

Read more on BBC

A pristine copy of “Superman” No. 1 sold for $9.12 million at Heritage Auctions on Thursday, making it the most expensive comic book ever sold at auction.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

An original copy of the June 1939 first edition on the Man of Steel's adventures, it was in a remarkably pristine condition.

Read more on BBC

The two Wales teams train side-by-side at a hotel complex west of Cardiff, a pristine rugby paddock juxtaposed with a football pitch.

Read more on Barron's

Related Words

• immaculate 
• intact 
• natural 
• snowy 
• spotless 
• sterile 
• untouched