hearty, motley, mellow, grisly, pristine: meanings and examples

Learn these 5 words from SAT Vocabulary Level 2 set 154. Each entry includes a definition, example sentence, pronunciation, and synonyms. Use the interactive cards above to practice them.

1. hearty · adjective/ˈhɑr.ti/

   warm and unreserved in manner or behavior

   After a long journey, we received a hearty welcome from the locals, who greeted us with smiles and open arms.

   Synonyms: cordial, warm, friendly

   Origin: Middle English: from Old French 'hearti', from 'herte' meaning heart.

2. motley · adjective/ˈmɑtli/

   composed of diverse or varied elements

   The festival showcased a motley array of performers, each representing different cultures and styles.

   Synonyms: variegated, mixed, diverse

   Origin: Middle English motley, from Old English motly, from mot (spot, blot) + -ly (adjectival suffix)

3. mellow · adjective/ˈmɛ.loʊ/

   soft and well matured in flavor or character

   The mellow flavor of the aged cheese made it the perfect addition to the wine pairing.

   Synonyms: soft, relaxed, smooth

   Origin: Middle English 'melowe', from Old English 'meldan', meaning to soften

4. grisly · adjective/ˈɡrɪzli/

   causing horror or disgust

   The grisly details of the crime were enough to make even the most seasoned detectives feel uneasy.

   Synonyms: gruesome, ghastly, horrific

   Origin: Middle English grisly, from gris ‘a fright’, from Old English grislic, meaning 'terrifying, dreadful'.

5. pristine · adjective/prɪsˈtin/

   in its original condition; unspoiled or immaculate

   The hikers were thrilled to discover a pristine wilderness area untouched by human activity.

   Synonyms: unspoiled, immaculate, untouched

   Origin: Middle English, from Latin 'pristinus' meaning 'former, original'