pristine
adjective
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When pristine was anglicized in the 16th century, people borrowed the meanings of "early" and "original" from the Latin word pristinus and applied those meanings to what is desirable as well as to what is not. But it has long been a tendency of civilized people to admire a simpler and unsullied past. The supposition is that when things were in their oldest or original state, they were better. Thus, pristine was extended to describe the notion of an unspoiled, uncorrupted, or unpolluted state. And what is unspoiled or uncontaminated may connote the freshness and cleanness of something that has just been made, which explains how pristine has also come to mean "fresh and clean."
Examples of pristine in a Sentence
Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 17 Mar. 2026
After-dark travel also fulfills the growing demand for novel adventures, because these days, a pristine night sky is especially rare.
—Stephanie Vermillion, Outside, 16 Mar. 2026
Best Time to Visit The best time to visit Mystic is from May to August, when beaches, sailing, and outdoor dining shine in the pristine weather.
—Morgan Rizzo, Travel + Leisure, 16 Mar. 2026
Built for real-world terrain Backyards are rarely flat, pristine test surfaces.
—New Atlas, 15 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for pristine
Cite this Entry
“Pristine.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pristine. Accessed 18 Mar. 2026.
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pristine
adjective
