1
a
of a fruit
: tender and sweet because of ripeness
b
of a wine
: well aged and pleasingly mild
2
a
: made gentle by age or experience
She was a tough and demanding teacher, but she became mellow in her old age.
b
: rich and full but free from garishness or stridency
the mellow tones of an old violin
c
: warmed and relaxed by or as if by liquor
After a few drinks we felt pretty mellow.
e
: laid-back
mellow background music
3
of soil
: having a soft and loamy consistency
mellowly
adverb
mellowness
noun
Examples of mellow in a Sentence
Adjective
The painting captures the mellow light of a summer evening.
This wine is very mellow.
He was in a mellow mood.
She was a tough and demanding teacher, but she became mellower in her old age.
He's a very mellow guy.
After a couple of drinks we all started feeling pretty mellow.
Verb
She was a tough and demanding teacher, but she has mellowed in her old age.
The wine needs time to mellow.
She was a tough and demanding teacher, but old age has mellowed her.
Recent Examples on the Web
Bob Gendron, Chicago Tribune, 15 Mar. 2025
And the truth is that Manson had a singing voice of knowing mellow command.
—Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 7 Mar. 2025
Tom Mullen, Forbes, 2 Mar. 2025
Hardened but mellowed since his breakout role in 2014’s Whiplash, Teller retains the everyman watchability that made John Cusack a star once upon a time.
—Graham Hillard, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 28 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for mellow
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Adjective
In addition to cutting down on banter, Blige struck a mellower, less aggressive tone than at several prior local appearances — a stunning 2004 gig at Arie Crown Theater and memorable co-headlining 2016 date with Maxwell at United Center included.
—Bob Gendron, Chicago Tribune, 15 Mar. 2025
And the truth is that Manson had a singing voice of knowing mellow command.
—Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 7 Mar. 2025
Verb
Layered and enjoyable and the years have obviously mellowed the tannins; chocolate Mars bar flavors on the finish.
—Tom Mullen, Forbes, 2 Mar. 2025
Hardened but mellowed since his breakout role in 2014’s Whiplash, Teller retains the everyman watchability that made John Cusack a star once upon a time.
—Graham Hillard, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 28 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for mellow
Cite this Entry
“Mellow.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mellow. Accessed 1 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
mellow
1 of 2 adjective
mel·low
ˈmel-ō 
1
a
: tender and sweet because of ripeness
mellow peaches
b
: well aged and pleasingly mild
a mellow wine
2
a
: made gentle by age or experience
developed a mellow disposition from caring for his grandchildren
b
: pleasant sense 1, agreeable
mellow sounds
c
: laid-back
a mellow personality
3
: being soft and crumbly
mellow soil
4
: being clear, full, and pure
spoke in mellow tones
mellowly
adverb
mellowness
noun
mellow
2 of 2 verb
: to make or become mellow
old houses, weather-beaten and mellowed by time
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