mellow

To become calmer and more relaxed, sometimes after taking drugs.

• She has mellowed since retirement.
• He used to argue, but he mellowed over time.
• They smoked together and mellowed out on the sofa.

How to use it: mellow with age (My uncle has mellowed with age.)

Similar words: relax, calm down

Common phrases: mellow with age, mellow out, mellow over time

To become softer, less strong, or more pleasant as time passes.

• The colour will mellow over time.
• The sharp flavour mellowed after a few months.
• Sunlight has mellowed the wood to a warm brown.

How to use it: mellow with age (The wine mellows with age.)

Similar words: soften, mature

Common phrases: mellow over time, mellow with age

Soft and easy to bite because the fruit is ripe.

• The pear was mellow and sweet.
• We chose mellow apples for the pie.
• These fruits become mellow as they ripen.

Similar words: soft, tender

Opposites: hard

Common phrases: mellow fruit, mellow apple, mellow pear

Soft, smooth, and easy to shape or work with.

• The soil is mellow and easy to dig.
• Plant the seeds in rich, mellow earth.
• Years of careful gardening have left the ground mellow.

Similar words: soft, smooth

Opposites: hard, rough

Common phrases: mellow soil, mellow earth, mellow texture

A pleasant, peaceful mood in which you feel relaxed.

• He was in a mellow after dinner.
• Soft music put her in a pleasant mellow.
• Nothing could disturb his mellow that evening.

Similar words: relaxed mood

Common phrases: in a mellow, pleasant mellow