Mellow /ˈmɛl.oʊ/ is a six-letter word that describes a calm and relaxing feeling or a smoothness in flavor and texture. The word is spelled using the letters 'm', 'e', 'l', 'l', 'o', and 'w' and pronounced as /MEL-oh/. The first syllable 'mel' is pronounced with a short 'e' sound, while the second syllable 'low' is pronounced with an 'oh' sound. The double 'l' in the middle is pronounced as a single sound that is similar to the 'l' sound in the word 'milk'.
Mellow is an adjective that can be used to describe various aspects related to the quality and character of a person, environment, sound, taste, or color. The term generally suggests a sense of relaxation, softness, and smoothness.
When referring to a person, being mellow typically implies a calm, easy-going nature—an individual who is not easily angered or agitated. It is often associated with a gentle temperament or a laid-back attitude towards life.
Concerning an environment, such as a room or an atmosphere, mellow suggests a soothing, comfortable ambiance that promotes tranquility and contentment. It implies a cozy, warm, and inviting setting.
In terms of sound, a mellow tone or melody signifies softness, richness, and subtlety. It refers to music or voices that are smooth, pleasing, and relaxing, often lacking sharpness or harshness.
When applied to taste, mellow characterizes a mild, subtle flavor that is not overpowering or intense. It can refer to the balance between sweetness and acidity in food or drink.
Lastly, mellow can also describe colors that are soft, subdued, warm, or earthy. It signifies hues that evoke a relaxed and calming sensation rather than vibrant or energetic visual stimuli.
Overall, the concept of mellow conveys a sense of peacefulness, soothing qualities, and a gentle nature across a range of contexts.
• Mature; soft with ripeness; pleasing by softness, as sound, light, or flavour; soft, jovial, as a person slightly intoxicated.
• To ripen; to soften, as by maturity or age; to grow or become mature or soft.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "mellow" originates from the Old English word "melu", which means "soft, sweet, or ripe". It can be traced back to the Proto-Germanic word "melwjo" and the Proto-Indo-European root "*meldh-", both conveying the idea of softness. Over time, the meaning of "mellow" has evolved to describe the soothing, relaxed, and gentle qualities often associated with matured and ripe things, such as fruit, wine, or even someone's temperament.