26984 words

mellow

8 definitions • 14 examples
1
smooth and soft, or not too sharp, bright, new, or rough:

Examples:

mellow flavours
mellow sounds
mellow autumn sunlight
2
relaxed and pleasant or not severe:

Examples:

a mellow mood/atmosphere
After a few drinks, he became very mellow.
3
to become softer and more developed in a pleasing way:

Examples:

The brickwork will mellow over the years so that it blends with the surroundings.
4
to become more relaxed:

Examples:

She used to be very impatient, but she's mellowed over time.
The years have mellowed her.
US informal Oh, don't be so tough on yourself, Bill - mellow out (= become more relaxed and less severe).
5
pleasing because of being smooth, soft, or well developed and not too sharp, bright, new, or rough:

Examples:

a mellow flavor/tone
6
(of a person or mood) relaxed and pleasant:

Examples:

He looks mellow on stage, but he’s always tense before the show.
7
to become more pleasing because of becoming more smooth, soft, or well developed and less sharp, bright, new, or rough:

Examples:

[ I ] The bright orange of the fresh paint mellowed as it dried.
[ T ] Those medicinal herbs can be mixed with more appetizing herbs (= herbs that taste better) to mellow their flavors.
8
(of a person or mood) to become more relaxed and pleasant:

Examples:

[ I ] She used to be very impatient, but she’s mellowed.

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