Primary — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms
Meaning & Definition of Primary
Primary (adjective)
- first in order of time or development, primitive
- of first rank, importance, or value, principal
- basic, fundamental
Primary (noun)
- something that stands first in rank, importance, or value, fundamental —usually used in plural
- the celestial body around which one or more other celestial bodies revolve; especially, the more massive usually brighter component of a binary star system
- one of the usually 9 or 10 strong flight feathers on the distal joint of a bird's wing
Primary (verb)
- to run against (an incumbent) in a primary election —usually used in the passive
Primary (adjective) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms
-
coming before all others in importance
"the primary concern for many house hunters is the asking price"
-
done or working without something else coming in between
"a crop failure that was the primary cause of the famine"
-
highest in rank or authority
"the movie's primary screenwriter"
-
coming before the main part or item usually to introduce or prepare for what follows
"a few minutes of primary instruction in the use of our diving gear before we actually got into the water"
Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Primary
The most common words with a similar meaning to Primary:
Antonyms & Opposite Words for Primary
Words with the opposite meaning of Primary:
Near Antonyms of Primary
Word Forms of Primary
Inflections: primaries, primaried, primarying
Origin & Etymology of Primary
Middle English primarye, primary "original, earliest," borrowed from Latin prīmārius "of the highest importance or station (of persons), first-rate, chief" (Late Latin, "original, lying at the beginning," Medieval Latin, "foremost, leading"), from prīmus "first, foremost, earliest, of first importance" + -ārius -ary:2 prime:1
First known use: 15th century
Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Primary
- CEFR level: B1 English Vocabulary — Page 11
- Academic Word List: 570 Academic Word List — Page 11
- Topics: Descriptions / Adjectives
Words & Phrases Containing Primary
Frequently Asked Questions about Primary
What does "Primary" mean?
"Primary" means first in order of time or development, primitive. As an an adjective, a noun and a verb, it is defined as: first in order of time or development, primitive. It has 4 distinct senses.
What is another word for "Primary"?
Other words for "Primary" include arch, big, capital, cardinal, central, chief, dominant and first. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Primary" you intend.
What are different ways to say "Primary"?
There are 116 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Primary". Common alternatives include arch, big, capital, cardinal, central, chief, dominant, first, foremost and grand.
What is the opposite of "Primary"?
Antonyms of "Primary" include last, least, indirect and secondhand. Near antonyms include inconsequential, inconsiderable, insignificant and minor.
How do you use "Primary" in a sentence?
Examples of "Primary" in a sentence: "the primary concern for many house hunters is the asking price"; "a crop failure that was the primary cause of the famine"; "the movie's primary screenwriter".
Is "Primary" a noun, verb, or adjective?
"Primary" can be used as an adjective, a noun and a verb, depending on the context.
Is "Primary" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?
As a B1-level word, "Primary" is typical of Cambridge B1 Preliminary (PET), IELTS band 4.0–5.0, TOEFL iBT 42–71, PTE Academic 43–58, TOEIC Listening & Reading 550+. It is on the Academic Word List, so it appears often in IELTS Academic, TOEFL iBT, PTE Academic, and university texts.
How do you pronounce "Primary"?
"Primary" is pronounced /ˈprī-ˌmer-ē/ and divided into syllables as pri·ma·ry.