Mellow
/ˈmɛloʊ/
Definitions
2 meaningsHaving a relaxed, pleasant, gentle, or softened quality.
/ˈmɛloʊ/
Having a relaxed, pleasant, or gentle quality.
The after-dinner conversation was mellow and easygoing.
💡 Simply: Imagine you're hanging out on a sunny day with your friends. Everything feels calm and good. That's what 'mellow' is like. It's a feeling of being relaxed and happy. Like when your favorite song comes on and you just chill out.
👶 For kids: When something is mellow, it's like it's soft and calm, like a comfy blanket.
More Examples
The jazz music created a mellow atmosphere in the bar.
The mellow sunlight filtered through the trees.
How It's Used
"The music had a mellow vibe, perfect for relaxing."
"The pears were perfectly mellow, sweet, and juicy."
To soften in character, temper, or disposition; to become more relaxed or agreeable.
/ˈmɛloʊ/
To become more relaxed or pleasant.
He began to mellow out as he got older.
💡 Simply: When you mellow out, it's like you're letting go of all the stress and worries, and becoming calmer and happier, like when you take a deep breath and relax after a long day. Imagine a time when you were angry or upset, and then someone calmed you down – you mellowed out.
👶 For kids: When you mellow, you become more calm and happy.
More Examples
The situation mellowed with time.
Let the wine mellow in the cellar for a few years.
How It's Used
"After a few drinks, he began to mellow out and share stories."
"As he got older, he mellowed and became more patient."
Idioms & expressions
Mellow out
To relax and become more calm.
"He needs to mellow out after that stressful meeting."
From Middle English melwe, probably related to Middle English melow, 'soft, tender,' influenced by the related sense of 'ripe'.
The term 'mellow' has been used since the Middle Ages, initially referring to ripeness or softness, and later evolving to describe temperament.
Memory tip
Think of a ripe, soft peach - that's mellow!
Word Origin
"soft, tender, ripe"