mellow
/ˈmel.əʊ/ IELTSAcademic
adjective
Mellow means soft, smooth, and pleasant in sound, taste, colour, or mood. It can also describe a person who is calm, relaxed, and not easily upset.
- The wine has a mellow flavour.
- He became more mellow with age.
- The room had a warm, mellow light.
verb
To mellow means to become softer, calmer, or less harsh over time. This can happen to a person, a feeling, or a taste.
- Her voice mellowed as she spoke.
- The cheese will mellow after a few weeks.
- Time mellowed his anger.
Adinary Nuance
Mellow is softer and warmer than calm or quiet. It often suggests something pleasant, rich, or smooth, not just a lack of noise. For people, it can sound more relaxed and friendly than serious or serene. Writers often use it for taste, light, music, and personality.
In other languages
- Vietnamese
- dịu
- Spanish
- suave
- Chinese
- 柔和
- Japanese
- まろやか
- Korean
- 부드러운
Etymology
Mellow comes from Old English mǣlw, meaning ripe or soft. Its sense grew to include gentle tastes, sounds, and moods in Middle English.
Common phrases
mellow voicemellow lightmellow outmellow flavour
Synonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
- Is mellow formal or informal?
- It is neutral and common in both speech and writing. It sounds natural in descriptive English.
- What is the difference between mellow and calm?
- Calm means not nervous or upset. Mellow often adds a warm, soft, pleasant feeling.
- Can I use mellow for a person?
- Yes. It can describe someone relaxed, gentle, and easygoing.
- What does mellow out mean?
- It means to become calmer or more relaxed. It is common in spoken English.