adj
Uncommon
pristine
PRIHS-teen
Pristine (adj) means Completely unspoiled and clean, as if untouched since it was made. Example: “The beach was pristine, without a single piece of litter.”
adj
1
Completely unspoiled and clean, as if untouched since it was made.
"The beach was pristine, without a single piece of litter."
"She kept her car in pristine condition for over a decade."
2
Belonging to an original or earliest state, before any change or development.
"Archaeologists study the pristine layers of rock beneath the city."
How to use pristine
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishPerfectly clean and unspoiled, like new.
Common pairings
pristine condition
pristine wilderness
kept pristine
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Word forms
- Comparative
- more pristine
- Superlative
- most pristine
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The beach was _____, without a single piece of litter.
Etymology
From Latin pristinus, meaning "former" or "original" — related to the idea of something being in its very first, unaltered state.
Related words
Rhymes for pristine
See all rhymes for pristine →Frequently asked questions
What does “pristine” mean?
The word “pristine” means completely unspoiled and clean, as if untouched since it was made. In plain terms, perfectly clean and unspoiled, like new.
How do you pronounce “pristine”?
“Pristine” is pronounced PRIHS-teen (/ˈprɪˌstin/ in IPA).
How do you use “pristine” in a sentence?
Here is “pristine” used in a sentence: “The beach was pristine, without a single piece of litter.”
What part of speech is “pristine”?
“Pristine” is an adjective.
Where does the word “pristine” come from?
The word “pristine” comes from Latin. From Latin pristinus, meaning "former" or "original" — related to the idea of something being in its very first, unaltered state.
Is “pristine” a common word?
“Pristine” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “pristine” have?
“Pristine” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: completely unspoiled and clean, as if untouched since it was made.
