to mellow

Examples

• All

• Time has mellowed him.

  Chickenhare and the Hamster of Darkness (2022)

• Well, for the first few years, that'll be me, and then maybe I'll mellow out.

  Fiction book (1991)

• Give me something to mellow me out!

  Control (2004)

• - It was only to mellow us out.

  Midnight in a Toy Shop (1930)

• Does being a twin yourself kind of mellow you out for that sort of experience?

  Blog text (27)

• But he seems to have, you know, mellowed a bit.

  Down Terrace (2010)

• I could get you something that'd mellow you out a little, if you want.

  Fiction book (1994)

• Age and success have mellowed them and made them more approachable.

  Academic text (2011)

• He's mellowed since he came out of the closet.

  Fletch (1985)

• Time spent in nature can really mellow your mind and help you relax.

Synonyms

L

to lighten up

vsto mellow

• Informal

111 4.1

To become or make someone feel more cheerful and relaxed

leans toward cheerfulness, not general softening of taste or character

S

to soften

vsto mellow

98 3.1

Make something less strong or harsh

focuses specifically on creating a softer, more pleasant mood or taste

M

to melt

vsto mellow

66 2.8

To become less strong little by little

describes fading intensity rather than creating a gentler pleasant quality

T

to tone down

vsto mellow

56 3.7

To make something less strong, for example a sound, color or feeling

focuses on making things softer, gentler, or more pleasant overall

S

to soften up

vsto mellow

• Informal

26 3.9

To make someone more willing to agree or make something easier to bend

is more about general softening of mood, taste, or character

M

to mellow out

vsto mellow

• Informal

22 6.3

Become more relaxed and easygoing

is broader, applying also to making taste or character gentler

M

to mollify

vsto mellow

9 7.2

To make someone less angry or upset

is broader and includes making taste or character milder as well

L

to lenify

vsto mellow

• Archaic

9.9

To make someone feel calmer or less angry

is about softer, more pleasant change in taste, character, or mood

Antonyms

I

to intensify

99 4.0

Make something stronger or more intense

A

to agitate

14 4.8

To make people feel strongly excited or upset

Phrasal Verbs

M

to mellow out

• Informal

22 6.3

Become more relaxed and easygoing

Compounds

M

mellow glow

1 3.7

Soft warm light like candlelight that makes a place feel calm

M

mellow evening

1 3.0

An evening with soft light, quiet, and easy conversation

How Gentle

to mellow

35 4.0

to soften

98 3.1

to tone down

56 3.7

Surface Forms

Etymology