pristine
adjective
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
Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 18 June 2026
Plant yourself along the two miles of pristine white sand beaches, bask in the butterfly garden, or explore the 28 miles of trails and the nature center.
—Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 17 June 2026
The 20-day journey includes scenic flights, hikes through pristine forests, whale watching, and more.
—Michael Cappetta, Travel + Leisure, 17 June 2026
Whether a rustic hideaway or a pristine luxury home set against a dramatic landscape, remote living has an undeniable allure.
—Katherine McLaughlin, Architectural Digest, 16 June 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 22 Jun. 2026.
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pristine
adjective
