pristine

pronunciation

How to pronounce pristine in British English: UK [ˈprɪstiːn]word uk audio image

How to pronounce pristine in American English: US [ˈprɪstiːn] word us audio image

  • Adjective:
    completely free from dirt or contamination
    immaculately clean and unused

Word Origin

pristine (adj.)
1530s, "pertaining to the earliest period, primitive, ancient," from Middle French pristin or directly from Latin pristinus "former, early, original," from Old Latin pri "before" (see prime (adj.)). Meaning "unspoiled, untouched, pure" is from 1899 (implied in a use of pristinely) but according to OED 2nd ed. print still regarded as ignorant "by many educated speakers."

Example

1. For rent : 830000 hectares of pristine tropical rainforest .
2. Psychologically we all feel better in a pristine clean home than in one that is a mess and full of clutter .
3. The air-conditioning was on , even though it was one of those ridiculously pristine southern california days .
4. The second pillar is the pristine environment .
5. Greens fretted that it threatened a pristine wilderness .

more: >How to Use "pristine" with Example Sentences