Word forms: comparative mellower, superlative mellowest, 3rd person singular presenttense mellows, present participle mellowing, past tense, past participle mellowed
1. adjective
Mellow is used to describe things that have a pleasant, soft, rich colour, usually red, orange, yellow, or brown.
...a classic Queen Anne house of mellow red brick with a white portico.
...this mellow Cotswold manor house.
...the softer, mellower light of evening.
2. adjective
A mellow sound or flavour is pleasant, smooth, and rich.
His voice was deep and mellow.
...the mellow background music.
...a delightfully mellow, soft and balanced wine.
Synonyms: tuneful, full, rich, soft More Synonyms of mellow
3. verb
If someone mellows or if something mellows them, they become kinder or less extreme in their behaviour, especially as a result of growing older.
When the children married and had children of their own, he mellowed a little. [VERB]
Marriage had not mellowed him. [VERB noun]
Mellow is also an adjective.
Is she more mellow and tolerant?
4. adjective
If someone is mellow, they feel very relaxed and cheerful, especially as the result of alcohol or good food.
[informal]
He'd had a few glasses of champagne himself and was fairly mellow.
At the other tables couples were now in a mellow mood, chattering happily and drinking.
More Synonyms of mellow
mellow in British English
(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
7.
to make or become mellow; soften; mature
8. (foll by out)
to become calm and relaxed or (esp of a drug) to have a calming or relaxing effect on (someone)
Derived forms
mellowly (ˈmellowly)
adverb
mellowness (ˈmellowness)
noun
Word origin
C15: perhaps from Old English meru soft (as through ripeness)
mellow in American English
(ˈmɛloʊ)
adjective
1.
soft, sweet, and juicy because ripe
said of fruit
2.
full-flavored; matured; not acid or bitter
said of wine, etc.
3.
full, rich, soft, and pure; not harsh
said of sound, light, color, weather, etc.
4.
moist and rich; loamy
said of soil
5.
softened and made gentle, understanding, and sympathetic by age and experience
6. Informal
genial or convivial, as from drinking liquor
verb transitive, verb intransitive
7.
to make or become mellow
SIMILAR WORDS: ripe
Derived forms
mellowly (ˈmellowly)
adverb
mellowness (ˈmellowness)
noun
Word origin
ME melwe, ripe, prob. < or akin to OE melu (see meal2), Fl meluw, soft, mellow
Examples of 'mellow' in a sentence
mellow
You can eat chutney straight away, but it's best once the flavours mellow after a month or so of ageing.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
The cider is stored in old oak rum barrels to impart a mellow background flavour.
Lockspeiser, Jerry & Gear, Jackie Thorsons Organic Wine Guide (1991)
The morning after the night before his mood had mellowed.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
The impatience in his nature only partly mellowed with age.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
It was really mellow and calming and a little bit pretty.
The Sun (2014)
Players tend to mellow and become a bit more streetwise as they get older.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
The moon visits the heart of your chart so your love mood is mellow.
The Sun (2009)
Has age mellowed your desire to consume?
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
The instant appeal of the house comes from the mellow red brick perfectly matched by the clay roof tiles.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
The natural weight of the wine has rounded well and produced a delightfully mellow flavour with great depth of character.
Lockspeiser, Jerry & Gear, Jackie Thorsons Organic Wine Guide (1991)
He said he was a changed man, that he had mellowed and matured.
The Sun (2013)
Nice clear pink colour, mellow and fruity.
Lockspeiser, Jerry & Gear, Jackie Thorsons Organic Wine Guide (1991)
He has mellowed a little since then, but the frustration remains.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
As the fish age in the oil in which they are preserved, they become more mellow and tender.
The Sun (2014)
Although he has mellowed a little since then, he is still a long way from being easy listening.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
Both have a sprinkling of lighter and darker hues, subtleties that come when a house has mellowed over centuries.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
I'm quite mellow and calm and tolerant, as a matter of fact.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
It's mild enough to eat straightaway, although it will mature and mellow if you leave it for at least a month before eating.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
In other languages
mellow
British English: mellow ADJECTIVE
Mellow is used to describe things that have a pleasant, soft, rich colour, usually red, orange, yellow, or brown.
...the softer, mellower light of evening.
American English: mellow
Brazilian Portuguese: suave
Chinese: 柔和的
European Spanish: suave
French: velouté
German: weich
Italian: caldo
Japanese: 柔らかな
Korean: 아늑한
European Portuguese: suave
Latin American Spanish: suave
British English: mellow VERB
If someone mellows or if something mellows them, they become kinder or less extreme in their behaviour, especially as a result of growing older.
When the children married and had children of their own, he mellowed a little.
American English: mellow
Brazilian Portuguese: tornar-se sereno
Chinese: 变圆融
European Spanish: suavizarse
French: s'adoucir
German: umgänglicher werden
Italian: ammorbidire
Japanese: 円熟させる/円熟する
Korean: >부드러워 지다나이가 들어
European Portuguese: tornar-se sereno
Latin American Spanish: suavizarse
1 (adjective)
Definition
(esp. of colours, light, or sounds) soft or rich
the mellow colours of autumn
Synonyms
soft
The room was tempered by the soft colours.
deep
rich, deep colours
rich
He spoke in that deep rich voice which made them all swoon.
warm
The basement hallway is painted a warm yellow.
MLO (textmessaging)
2 (adjective)
Definition
(esp. of colours, light, or sounds) soft or rich
the mellow background music
Synonyms
tuneful
Melodic and tuneful, his songs made me weep.
full
rich
soft
When he woke again he could hear soft music.
She spoke in a soft whisper.
melodious
She spoke in a quiet melodious voice.
mellifluous
wonderful mellifluous voices
dulcet
her beautiful, dulcet voice
well-tuned
euphonic
MLO (textmessaging)
3 (adjective)
Definition
(esp. of wine or cheese) having developed a full smooth flavour as a result of maturing
It produced a delightfully mellow flavour
Synonyms
full-flavoured
rounded
rich
the hearty rich foods of Gascony
sweet
the sweet sounds of Mozart
smooth
This makes the flavour much smoother.
delicate
juicy
MLO (textmessaging)
4 (adjective)
Definition
(esp. of wine or cheese) having developed a full smooth flavour as a result of maturing
a mellow, creamy Somerset Brie
Synonyms
ripe
Always choose firm but ripe fruit.
perfect
mature
Here is the voice of a mature man, expressing sorrow for a lost ideal.
ripened
well-matured
MLO (textmessaging)
Opposites
green
,
raw
,
sour
,
immature
,
unripe
5 (adjective)
Definition
kind-hearted, esp. through maturity or old age
Is she more mellow and tolerant?
Synonyms
easy-going
warm
We were instantly attracted by his warm personality.
gentle
a quiet and gentle man who liked sports and enjoyed life
pleasant
He was most anxious to seem agreeable and pleasant.
sympathetic
It may be that he sees you only as a sympathetic friend.
tolerant
They need to be tolerant of different points of view.
gracious
amiable
She had been surprised at how amiable and polite he had seemed.
amicable
affable
He is an extremely affable and approachable man.
good-natured
She was good-natured about it, and didn't make a fuss.
kind-hearted
He was a warm, generous and kind-hearted man.
warm-hearted
a good-natured and warm-hearted woman loved by everyone
MLO (textmessaging)
6 (adjective)
Definition
genial and relaxed, for instance through the effects of alcohol or good food
He began to feel mellow as soon as he sat down with his friends.
Synonyms
relaxed
Try to adopt a more relaxed manner.
happy
I'm just happy to be back running.
cheerful
They are both very cheerful in spite of their circumstances.
jolly
She was a jolly, kindhearted woman.
elevated
merry (British, informal)
After a couple of glasses I was feeling a bit merry.
expansive
cordial
I had never known him to be so chatty and cordial.
genial
He was a warm-hearted friend and a genial host.
jovial
Father Whittaker appeared to be in a jovial mood.
MLO (textmessaging)
1 (verb)
Definition
to make or become calm and relaxed
She has mellowed with age.
Synonyms
relax
Massage is used to relax muscles.
improve
settle
They needed a win to settle their nerves.
calm
She took a deep breath to calm her nerves.
mature
the cellars where the cheeses are matured
soften
He could not think how to soften the blow of what he had to tell her.
sweeten
They sweetened the deal with a rather generous cash payment.
2 (verb)
Definition
to make or become mellow
Long cooking mellows the flavour beautifully.
Synonyms
season
Ensure that the new wood has been seasoned.
develop
They allowed me to develop their original idea.
improve
The weather is beginning to improve.
perfect
He worked hard to perfect his drawing technique.
ripen
I'm waiting for the apples to ripen.
Additional synonyms
in the sense of affable
Definition
showing warmth and friendliness
He is an extremely affable and approachable man.
Synonyms
friendly,
kindly,
civil,
warm,
pleasant,
mild,
obliging,
benign,
gracious,
benevolent,
good-humoured,
amiable,
courteous,
amicable,
cordial,
sociable,
genial,
congenial,
urbane,
approachable,
good-natured
in the sense of amiable
Definition
having a pleasant nature
She had been surprised at how amiable and polite he had seemed.
Synonyms
pleasant,
kind,
kindly,
pleasing,
friendly,
attractive,
engaging,
charming,
obliging,
delightful,
cheerful,
benign,
winning,
agreeable,
good-humoured,
lovable,
sociable,
genial,
affable,
congenial,
winsome,
good-natured,
sweet-tempered,
likable or likeable
in the sense of calm
Definition
to make or become calm
She took a deep breath to calm her nerves.
Synonyms
soothe,
settle,
quiet,
relax,
appease,
still,
allay,
assuage,
quieten
Nearby words of
mellow
melange
melee
mellifluous
mellow
melodic
melodious
melodramatic
Synonyms of 'mellow'
mellow
Explore 'mellow' in the dictionary
Additional synonyms
in the sense of cheerful
Definition
having a happy disposition
They are both very cheerful in spite of their circumstances.
Synonyms
happy,
bright,
contented,
glad,
optimistic,
bucked (informal),
enthusiastic,
sparkling,
gay (old-fashioned),
sunny,
perky,
jolly,
animated,
merry,
upbeat (informal),
buoyant,
hearty,
cheery,
joyful,
jovial,
genial,
jaunty,
chirpy (informal),
sprightly,
blithe,
light-hearted,
gladsome (archaic),
lightsome (archaic)
in the sense of cordial
Definition
warm and friendly
I had never known him to be so chatty and cordial.
Synonyms
warm,
welcoming,
friendly,
cheerful,
affectionate,
hearty,
agreeable,
sociable,
genial,
affable,
congenial,
warm-hearted
in the sense of deep
Definition
(of a colour) intense or dark
rich, deep colours
Synonyms
dark,
strong,
rich,
warm,
intense,
vivid,
DEp
in the sense of develop
Definition
to make or become gradually clearer or more widely known
They allowed me to develop their original idea.
Synonyms
expand,
improve,
perfect,
extend,
work out,
polish,
reinforce,
supplement,
elaborate,
unfold,
enlarge,
broaden,
amplify,
augment,
flesh out,
dilate upon
in the sense of dulcet
Definition
(of a sound) soothing or pleasant
her beautiful, dulcet voice
Synonyms
sweet,
pleasing,
musical,
charming,
pleasant,
honeyed,
delightful,
soothing,
agreeable,
harmonious,
melodious,
mellifluous,
euphonious,
mellifluent
in the sense of genial
Definition
cheerful, easy-going, and friendly
He was a warm-hearted friend and a genial host.
Synonyms
friendly,
kind,
kindly,
pleasant,
warm,
cheerful,
jolly,
hearty,
agreeable,
cheery,
amiable,
cordial,
affable,
congenial,
jovial,
convivial,
good-natured,
warm-hearted,
merry
in the sense of gentle
Definition
soft
a quiet and gentle man who liked sports and enjoyed life
Synonyms
kind,
loving,
kindly,
peaceful,
soft,
quiet,
pacific,
tender,
mild,
benign,
humane,
compassionate,
amiable,
meek,
lenient,
placid,
merciful,
kind-hearted,
sweet-tempered,
tender-hearted,
dove-like
in the sense of good-natured
Definition
tolerant and kindly
She was good-natured about it, and didn't make a fuss.
Synonyms
amiable,
kind,
kindly,
friendly,
generous,
helpful,
obliging,
tolerant,
agreeable,
benevolent,
good-hearted,
magnanimous,
well-disposed,
warm-hearted
in the sense of happy
Definition
feeling or expressing joy
I'm just happy to be back running.
Synonyms
pleased,
delighted,
content,
contented,
thrilled,
glad,
blessed,
blest,
sunny,
cheerful,
jolly,
merry,
ecstatic,
gratified,
jubilant,
joyous,
joyful,
elated,
over the moon (informal),
overjoyed,
blissful,
rapt,
blithe,
on cloud nine (informal),
cock-a-hoop (old-fashioned),
walking on air (informal),
floating on air,
stoked (informal)
in the sense of improve
Definition
to make or become better in quality
The weather is beginning to improve.
Synonyms
get better,
pick up,
look up (informal),
develop,
advance,
perk up,
take a turn for the better (informal)
Additional synonyms
in the sense of jolly
Definition
involving a lot of fun
She was a jolly, kindhearted woman.
Synonyms
happy,
bright,
funny,
lively,
hopeful,
sunny,
cheerful,
merry,
vibrant,
hilarious,
festive,
upbeat,
bubbly,
gay (old-fashioned),
airy,
playful,
exuberant,
jubilant,
cheery,
good-humoured,
joyous,
joyful,
carefree,
breezy,
genial,
ebullient (old-fashioned),
chirpy (informal),
sprightly,
jovial,
convivial,
effervescent,
frolicsome (old-fashioned),
ludic (literary),
mirthful,
sportive,
light-hearted,
jocund (old-fashioned),
gladsome (archaic),
blithesome (archaic)
in the sense of jovial
Definition
happy and cheerful
Father Whittaker appeared to be in a jovial mood.
Synonyms
cheerful,
happy,
jolly,
animated,
glad (archaic),
merry,
hilarious,
buoyant,
airy,
jubilant,
cheery,
cordial,
convivial,
blithe,
gay (old-fashioned),
mirthful,
jocund (old-fashioned),
jocose (old-fashioned)
in the sense of kind-hearted
Definition
considerate and sympathetic
He was a warm, generous and kind-hearted man.
Synonyms
sympathetic,
kind,
generous,
helpful,
tender,
humane,
compassionate,
gracious,
amicable,
considerate,
altruistic,
good-natured,
tender-hearted
in the sense of mature
Definition
fully developed physically or mentally
Here is the voice of a mature man, expressing sorrow for a lost ideal.
Synonyms
grown-up,
adult,
grown,
of age,
full-blown,
fully fledged,
fully-developed,
full-grown
in the sense of mature
Definition
to make or become mature
the cellars where the cheeses are matured
Synonyms
age,
season,
perfect,
mellow,
ripen
in the sense of mellifluous
Definition
(of sound) smooth and sweet
wonderful mellifluous voices
Synonyms
sweet,
soft,
smooth,
honeyed,
soothing,
mellow,
silvery,
dulcet,
sweet-sounding,
euphonious
in the sense of melodious
Definition
tuneful and melodic
She spoke in a quiet melodious voice.
Synonyms
musical,
harmonious,
melodic,
silvery,
tuneful,
concordant,
dulcet,
sweet-sounding,
euphonious,
sweet-toned,
euphonic
in the sense of merry
Definition
slightly drunk
After a couple of glasses I was feeling a bit merry.
Synonyms
tipsy,
happy,
elevated (informal),
mellow,
tiddly (rare, British),
squiffy (British, informal, old-fashioned)
in the sense of perfect
Definition
to improve to one's satisfaction
He worked hard to perfect his drawing technique.
Synonyms
improve,
develop,
polish,
elaborate,
refine,
cultivate,
hone
in the sense of pleasant
Definition
having pleasing manners or appearance
He was most anxious to seem agreeable and pleasant.
Synonyms
friendly,
nice,
agreeable,
likable or likeable,
engaging,
charming,
cheerful,
cheery,
good-humoured,
amiable,
genial,
affable,
congenial
Additional synonyms
in the sense of rich
Definition
(of sound or a voice) full or resonant
He spoke in that deep rich voice which made them all swoon.
Synonyms
resonant,
full,
deep,
ringing,
mellow,
mellifluous,
dulcet
in the sense of rich
Definition
having a full-bodied flavour
the hearty rich foods of Gascony
Synonyms
full-bodied,
heavy,
sweet,
delicious,
fatty,
tasty,
creamy,
spicy,
juicy,
luscious,
savoury,
succulent,
flavoursome,
highly-flavoured
in the sense of ripen
Definition
to mature
I'm waiting for the apples to ripen.
Synonyms
mature,
season,
develop,
get ready,
burgeon,
come of age,
come to fruition,
grow ripe,
make ripe
in the sense of settle
Definition
to make or become quiet, calm, or stable
They needed a win to settle their nerves.
Synonyms
calm,
quiet,
relax,
relieve,
reassure,
compose,
soothe,
lull,
quell,
allay,
sedate,
pacify,
quieten,
tranquillize
in the sense of smooth
Definition
not harsh in taste
This makes the flavour much smoother.
Synonyms
mellow,
pleasant,
mild,
soothing,
bland,
agreeable
in the sense of soften
Definition
to make or become more sympathetic and less critical
He could not think how to soften the blow of what he had to tell her.
Synonyms
lessen,
moderate,
diminish,
temper,
lower,
relax,
ease,
calm,
modify,
cushion,
soothe,
subdue,
alleviate,
lighten,
quell,
muffle,
allay,
mitigate,
abate,
tone down,
assuage
in the sense of sweet
Definition
(of a sound) pleasant and tuneful
the sweet sounds of Mozart
Synonyms
melodious,
musical,
harmonious,
soft,
mellow,
silvery,
tuneful,
dulcet,
sweet-sounding,
euphonious,
silver-toned,
euphonic
in the sense of sweeten
Definition
to make (an offer or a proposal) more acceptable
They sweetened the deal with a rather generous cash payment.
Synonyms
soften,
ease,
alleviate,
relieve,
temper,
cushion,
mellow,
make less painful
in the sense of sympathetic
Definition
feeling or showing kindness and understanding
It may be that he sees you only as a sympathetic friend.
Synonyms
caring,
kind,
understanding,
concerned,
feeling,
interested,
kindly,
warm,
tender,
pitying,
supportive,
responsive,
affectionate,
compassionate,
commiserating,
warm-hearted,
condoling
in the sense of tolerant
Definition
accepting of the beliefs, actions, etc., of other people
They need to be tolerant of different points of view.
Synonyms
broad-minded,
understanding,
sympathetic,
open-minded,
patient,
fair,
soft,
catholic,
charitable,
indulgent,
easy-going,
long-suffering,
lax,
lenient,
permissive,
magnanimous,
free and easy,
forbearing,
kind-hearted,
unprejudiced,
complaisant,
latitudinarian,
unbigoted,
easy-oasy (slang)
Additional synonyms
in the sense of warm
Definition
(of colours) predominantly red or yellow in tone
The basement hallway is painted a warm yellow.
Synonyms
mellow,
relaxing,
pleasant,
agreeable,
restful
in the sense of warm
Definition
kindly or affectionate
We were instantly attracted by his warm personality.
Synonyms
affable,
kindly,
friendly,
affectionate,
loving,
happy,
tender,
pleasant,
cheerful,
hearty,
good-humoured,
amiable,
amicable,
cordial,
sociable,
genial,
congenial,
hospitable,
approachable,
amorous,
good-natured,
likable or likeable
in the sense of warm-hearted
Definition
kind, affectionate, or sympathetic
a good-natured and warm-hearted woman loved by everyone