mellow
/ˈmeləʊ/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈmeləʊ/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈme-(ˌ)lō/ (ame, mw) · /ˈmel.əʊ/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈmel.oʊ/ (ame, ipa)
mellow — adjective
- mellowpositive
- mellowercomparative
- mellowestsuperlative
1. describes sounds, flavours, colours, or light that are pleasantly smooth and ful
describes sounds, flavours, colours, or light that are pleasantly smooth and full — not harsh, sharp, or too strong. For instance, a mellow voice has a deep rounded quality, and a mellow cheese offers a gentle taste without bitterness or acidity.
The café was filled with the mellow sound of a jazz saxophone.
mellow + sound — describes soft pleasant audio quality
As the sun went down, the sky turned a beautiful mellow orange.
mellow + colour — soft not bright
This cheese has a mellow, nutty flavour that is not too strong.
The old guitar produces a surprisingly mellow tone for its size.
Yuki prefers a mellow coffee that is smooth and never bitter.
- smooth
emphasises even texture or lack of roughness; more physical than 'mellow'
- soft
broader term; can describe volume, texture, or gentleness without the richness that 'mellow' suggests
- rich
focuses on depth and fullness of flavour or sound; can be used alone or with 'mellow'
- gentle
emphasises lack of harshness; 'mellow' adds a quality of pleasant fullness
用法筆記
Applies mainly to sensory experiences — sound, taste, light, colour, or texture. Unlike 'mild' (which simply means 'not strong'), 'mellow' adds the idea of richness and pleasant depth.
常見錯誤
2. describes a person, mood, or atmosphere that is calm, peaceful, and easygoing —
describes a person, mood, or atmosphere that is calm, peaceful, and easygoing — not easily upset, angry, or stressed. A mellow person stays relaxed even in difficult situations, often as a result of growing older, gaining life experience, or having a naturally gentle nature.
Grandpa has become much more mellow since he retired from his job.
mellow person — change with age/retirement
After the warm bath, Elena felt completely mellow and ready for bed.
feel mellow — temporary relaxed state
The new manager is quite mellow and never raises her voice at anyone.
The mellow atmosphere of the beach resort helped everyone forget their worries.
Their old dog has a very mellow temperament and loves being around children.
- calm
emphasises emotional control; 'mellow' adds warmth and pleasantness
- relaxed
focuses on freedom from tension; very close to 'mellow', but 'mellow' often suggests a softer, more pleasant quality
- easygoing
describes someone not easily bothered; very similar in meaning to 'mellow' when used for character
- laid-back
informal; describes someone who does not worry or rush; slightly more casual than 'mellow'
用法筆記
Frequently used informally. Can describe a temporary state (feeling mellow after a bath) or a permanent character trait (a mellow person). When describing the effect of alcohol, it implies a pleasant mild sensation — not drunk, just relaxed.
常見錯誤
mellow — verb
- mellowpresent simple I / you / we / they
- mellows3rd person singular
- mellowing-ing form
- mellowedpast simple
1. to develop a gently rich and smooth quality over time — for instance, fruit grow
to develop a gently rich and smooth quality over time — for instance, fruit growing sweet as it ripens, or the flavour of wine, the tone of an instrument, or the colour of a surface becoming deeper and less harsh.
Leave the avocado on the counter for a few days to mellow.
intransitive — fruit ripening naturally
The violin's tone has mellowed beautifully after years of regular use.
intransitive — sound improving with age
Age had mellowed the sharp red of the bricks to a soft terracotta.
This red wine will mellow if you let it breathe for half an hour.
The Italian sun had mellowed the stone walls to a warm golden colour.
- ripen
specifically for fruit becoming ready to eat; 'mellow' is broader and covers sound, colour, and flavour
- mature
focuses on reaching full development; 'mellow' emphasises the soft, pleasant result
- soften
general term for becoming less hard or harsh; 'mellow' adds the idea of pleasant richness
- develop
neutral; 'mellow' specifies the direction of that development (toward smoothness and richness)
文法句型
mellow + object (transitive)
mellow (without object)
mellow with + noun phrase
用法筆記
Can be used transitively (something mellows an object) or intransitively (an object mellows). The subject of the transitive form is often a natural process: age, time, sun, weather. Frequently occurs with 'with' — 'mellow with age', 'mellow with time'.
常見錯誤
2. to gradually become calmer, more relaxed, and less strict or extreme in your cha
to gradually become calmer, more relaxed, and less strict or extreme in your character or behaviour, often because of getting older or gaining experience.
Nadia mellowed a lot after her children left for college and stopped worrying so much.
mellow + life change — less anxious
The strict sergeant had mellowed a lot by the time he became a captain.
Living in a small coastal town has really mellowed Diego over the years.
After raising three kids, Wei has mellowed and no longer gets upset by small problems.
The angry young singer in the band has mellowed into a friendly family man.
- relax
general term; 'mellow' implies a gradual, lasting change in character
- calm down
describes a short-term change from upset to peaceful; 'mellow' is more about long-term character
- settle down
focuses on becoming more stable and responsible; overlaps with 'mellow' but emphasises lifestyle
- chill out
very informal slang; temporary relaxation rather than lasting character change
- tense up
to become nervous or stressed; the opposite process of mellowing
- become strict
to adopt stricter attitudes; the opposite of becoming more relaxed and easygoing
文法句型
mellow (without object)
mellow out (informal phrasal verb-like)
mellow with + noun phrase
用法筆記
Nearly always intransitive — a person mellows naturally over time. The transitive form is rare for this sense. The phrasal expression 'mellow out' is very informal and common in US English for 'relax completely'.