Word
pristine
Phoneticspris·tine, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈpɹɪstin/
UK/pɹɪstˈiːn/
Definitions
01unspoiled or clean
B2 · Upper Intermediate
adj. completely clean, fresh, and looking like new.
adj. in its original condition; immaculate and free from dirt or decay.
“The used car was in pristine condition and looked like it had never been driven.”
“The collector kept his first-edition books in pristine condition, ensuring they were never exposed to direct sunlight or humidity.”
Synonyms
02untouched nature
B2 · Upper Intermediate
adj. a place that is still in its natural state and has not been damaged or changed by people.
adj. remaining in a pure or natural state; untouched by human civilization or environmental degradation.
“The hikers were amazed by the pristine beauty of the mountain lake.”
“Environmentalists are fighting to protect the pristine wilderness from the encroaching threat of industrial development and logging.”
03earliest state
C2 · Proficiency Academic · Formal
adj. relating to the very first or earliest version of something.
adj. pertaining to the earliest state or period; primitive or original in a historical sense.
“Scientists are studying the pristine state of the solar system to understand how planets formed.”
“The research paper examines the pristine linguistic features of the dialect before it was influenced by neighboring languages.”
Real-World Examples
“But countries like Senegal and Liberia offer the kind of pristine landscape that many surfers crave.” “Consequently, the agency is fighting an uphill battle to keep parks pristine and unspoiled as visitor numbers climb and climate change stresses natural resources in the parks.” “Researchers often target pristine locations or regions that have received relatively little scientific sampling.” “Its pristine chemistry could offer new clues about how space rocks helped supply early Earth with some of the ingredients needed for life.” Etymology
From Middle French pristin, borrowed from Latin prīstinus.
From Ancient Greek πρίστις (prístis, “saw, sawfish”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
- アルファベット
- 読み方の一覧 →
QR code
englishreference.com/q/pristine