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 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 There are just two dog-friendly walking trails, the Gatlinburg Trail and the Oconaluftee River Trail, since most of the park’s hiking trails are set in the pristine backcountry. Evie Carrick, Travel + Leisure, 5 Mar. 2024 The county boasts pristine beaches, majestic mountains, and adventurous camping sites, guaranteed to make your spring break exciting and memorable. Dominique Fluker, Essence, 4 Mar. 2024 Rosenthal and wife Monica squeeze into thermal wear and drysuits to float amid a pristine environment. Laura Manske, Forbes, 1 Mar. 2024 But this season, the usually pristine white resorts look more like muddy wastelands. Fiona Sibbett, CNN, 28 Feb. 2024 Aside from the massive amounts of privacy and tropical tranquility, the buyer of Pumpkin Key will get a three-bedroom residence, a pool house, three guest apartments, and a pristine stretch of beach. Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 19 Feb. 2024 But, a pristine timepiece from the brand dating back to 1914? Madeline Boardman, EW.com, 22 Feb. 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 19 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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