Word: pristine (adjective)

Associations

"Pristine" means something very clean, fresh, or in its original, perfect condition.

• A pristine beach means the beach is very clean and untouched by pollution or people.
• Pristine clothes mean clothes that look brand new, without any stains or damage.
• A pristine forest means the forest is natural and not changed by humans. A synonym is "immaculate," but "immaculate" often refers more to being perfectly clean, while "pristine" also includes the idea of being original or untouched.

Substitution

You can use words like:

• "untouched" (focuses on something not changed or damaged)
• "spotless" (focuses on being very clean)
• "pure" (focuses on being free from anything bad or dirty) Using these words changes the focus slightly. For example, "spotless" is more about cleanliness, while "pristine" includes both cleanliness and original condition.

Deconstruction

"Pristine" comes from Latin "pristinus," meaning "former" or "original." It has no prefix or suffix here, but the root means something from the past or original state, which is why "pristine" means untouched or original condition.

Inquiry

• Can you think of a place near you that you would describe as "pristine"? Why?
• How would you describe your room if it were "pristine"?
• Is "pristine" always positive? Can something being "pristine" also mean it is old or unused?