pristine

adjective

pris·​tine ˈpri-ˌstēn How to pronounce pristine (audio)
pri-ˈstēn,
 especially British  ˈpri-ˌstīn
1
: belonging to the earliest period or state : original
the hypothetical pristine lunar atmosphere
2
a
: not spoiled, corrupted, or polluted (as by civilization) : pure
a pristine forest
b
: fresh and clean as or as if new
used books in pristine condition
pristinely adverb

Did you know?

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

My office is a mess but her office is always pristine. He was wearing a pristine white shirt.
Recent Examples on the Web Today, many contemporary Japanese architects pay homage to American Modernism, often with an obsessive focus on materials and techniques that make these structures feel lighter and more pristine than their predecessors. Kurt Soller Anu Kumar, New York Times, 18 Mar. 2024 Women on TV and female characters haven’t really been allowed to be angry or defensive or anything other than maybe attractive and pristine. K.j. Yossman, Variety, 6 Mar. 2024 The streets lead to a pale-sand public beach with a fishing pier, a charming park, and glistening views of the delicate and pristine Gulf Islands. Southern Living Editors, Southern Living, 4 Mar. 2024 At the beach’s western end, the small but pristine Río San Juan — not to be confused with the municipality of the same name several hours’ drive northwest — attracted locals to lounge in its waters, their coolers full of drinks and snacks. Mya Guarnieri, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 Mar. 2024 The vibe is more secluded at Claughton House, a spacious five-bedroom seaside villa on a coconut plantation with a chef and a private butler, overlooking the pristine and secluded Kudawella Bay near the town of Dikwella. Chandrahas Choudhury, Condé Nast Traveler, 1 Mar. 2024 The new song is full of one-liners, has no hook, and is a departure from her pristine Top 40 singles — and a moment for Saweetie to get real and raw. Lakin Imani Starling, Allure, 29 Feb. 2024 Whenever a concert is underway below, guards dot the plaza’s perimeter, waving pedestrians away from crossing, as the click of high heels and the rumble of wheelie luggage register quite clearly in the hall’s otherwise pristine acoustics. Michael Andor Brodeur, Washington Post, 6 Mar. 2024 The vinyl format, with its rich warmth and pristine clarity, seems destined to align seamlessly with the very essence of Xiao Xia, fully embodying its serene beauty and introspective tranquility. Billboard China, Billboard, 6 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'pristine.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Latin pristinus; akin to Latin prior

First Known Use

1534, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of pristine was in 1534

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Dictionary Entries Near pristine

Cite this Entry

“Pristine.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pristine. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

pristine

adjective
pris·​tine ˈpris-ˌtēn How to pronounce pristine (audio)
1
: not spoiled, polluted, or corrupted (as by civilization)
a pristine forest
2
: being fresh and clean
pristine new math books

More from Merriam-Webster on pristine

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