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
Evie Carrick, Travel + Leisure, 12 May 2025
Brimming with tiny hummingbirds and mighty bison alike, the North Rim is a living reminder of the Grand Canyon of yore, immersing guests into the pristine habitats that were once widespread across the western United States.
—Jared Ranahan, Forbes.com, 11 May 2025
Outside, buyers will be able to enjoy features such as an infinity pool, tennis court and pristine gardens.
—Michael Nied, People.com, 9 May 2025
Lake Tahoe Compound In classic Zuckerberg fashion, the billionaire rapidly scooped up two neighboring estates totaling about 10 acres on the pristine west shore of the lake —one in December 2018 for $22 million and the other just a few weeks later for $37 million.
—Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 9 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for pristine
Cite this Entry
“Pristine.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pristine. Accessed 21 May. 2025.
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pristine
adjective
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