Primitive — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

adjective noun /ˈpri-mə-tiv/ prim·i·tive

Meaning & Definition of Primitive

Primitive (adjective)

  1. not derived, original, primary
  2. assumed as a basis; especially, axiomatic
  3. of or relating to the earliest age or period, primeval

Primitive (noun)

  1. something primitive; specifically, an original or primary idea, term, or proposition
  2. a root word
  3. an artist of an early period of a culture or artistic movement

Primitive (adjective) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. belonging to or characteristic of an early level of skill or development

    "primitive wooden tools were used before the Iron Age"

    similar: crude, low, rude, rudimentary
    related: basic, simple, uncomplicated, homely, homespun, unsophisticated, early, embryonic, primeval, primordial, backward, underdeveloped, undeveloped, aged, ancient, antediluvian, antiquated, antique, dated, fusty, hoary, musty, obsolete, old, oldfangled, old-fashioned, old-time, out-of-date, outworn, passé, past, quaint, unmodernized
    opposite: advanced, developed, evolved, high, higher, late
    near: complex, complicated, intricate, involved, sophisticated, full-blown, grown, mature, matured, perfected, ripe, ripened, civilized, cultivated, enlightened, refined, contemporary, current, latest, mod, modern, modernistic, new, newfangled, new-fashioned, novel, now, present-day, space-age, state-of-the-art, supermodern, ultramodern, up-to-date

  2. relating to or occurring near the beginning of a process, series, or time period

    "a primitive period in church history when members still lived in communes"

    similar: ancient, early, primal, primeval, primordial
    related: budding, embryonic, germinal, infant, aged, age-old, antediluvian, antiquated, antique, dateless, hoary, old, prehistoric, obsolete, outmoded, out-of-date, passé
    opposite: late
    near: advanced, complex, developed, evolved, high, higher, full-blown, full-fledged, full-scale

  3. lacking in worldly wisdom or informed judgment

    "her taste in art was still primitive, but she knew schlock when she saw it"

    similar: aw-shucks, dewy, dewy-eyed, green, ingenuous, innocent, naïf, naive, simple, simpleminded, uncritical, unknowing, unsophisticated, unsuspecting, unsuspicious, unwary, unworldly, wide-eyed
    related: callow, childish, immature, inexperienced, raw, childlike, idealistic, impractical, unrealistic, believing, credulous, gullible, susceptible, trustful, trusting, unguarded, beguiled, duped, gulled, tricked, careless, heedless, thoughtless
    opposite: cosmopolitan, experienced, knowing, sophisticated, worldly, worldly-wise
    near: critical, cynical, doubting, incredulous, skeptical, suspecting, suspicious, unconvinced, careful, cautious, guarded, leery, wary, watchful, down-to-earth, hardheaded, pragmatic, realistic, sober, street-smart, streetwise

Primitive (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. as in Neanderthal

    similar: Neanderthal, barbarian, heathen, savage, noble savage

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Primitive

The most common words with a similar meaning to Primitive:

crude, low, rude, rudimentary, ancient, early, primal, primeval, primordial, aw-shucks, dewy, dewy-eyed, green, ingenuous, innocent, naïf, naive, simple, simpleminded, uncritical, unknowing, unsophisticated, unsuspecting, unsuspicious, unwary, unworldly, wide-eyed, Neanderthal, barbarian, heathen, savage, noble savage

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Primitive

Words with the opposite meaning of Primitive:

advanced, developed, evolved, high, higher, late, cosmopolitan, experienced, knowing, sophisticated, worldly, worldly-wise

Related Words for Primitive

basic, uncomplicated, homely, homespun, embryonic, backward, underdeveloped, undeveloped, aged, antediluvian, antiquated, antique, dated, fusty, hoary, musty, obsolete, old, oldfangled, old-fashioned, old-time, out-of-date, outworn, passé, past, quaint, unmodernized, budding, germinal, infant

Near Antonyms of Primitive

complex, complicated, intricate, involved, full-blown, grown, mature, matured, perfected, ripe, ripened, civilized, cultivated, enlightened, refined, contemporary, current, latest, mod, modern, modernistic, new, newfangled, new-fashioned, novel, now, present-day, space-age, state-of-the-art, supermodern

Word Forms of Primitive

Inflections: primitives

Derived words: primitively (adverb), primitiveness (noun), primitivity (noun)

Origin & Etymology of Primitive

Middle English prymytyff, primitive "early (of the Christian church), non-corporeal (of the cause of a disease)," borrowed from Middle French & Medieval Latin; Middle French primitif "original, primary (of a cause)," borrowed from Medieval Latin prīmitīvus "belonging to the earliest time or state, original," going back to Latin, "early, first-formed," from prīmitus "at first, for the first time, originally" (from prīmus "first, foremost, earliest" + -itus, adverbial suffix of origin) + -īvus -ive prime:1

First known use: 15th century

Words & Phrases Containing Primitive

primitive streak

Frequently Asked Questions about Primitive

What does "Primitive" mean?

"Primitive" means not derived, original, primary. As an an adjective and a noun, it is defined as: not derived, original, primary. It has 4 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Primitive"?

Other words for "Primitive" include crude, low, rude, rudimentary, ancient, early, primal and primeval. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Primitive" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Primitive"?

There are 89 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Primitive". Common alternatives include crude, low, rude, rudimentary, ancient, early, primal, primeval, primordial and aw-shucks.

What is the opposite of "Primitive"?

Antonyms of "Primitive" include advanced, developed, evolved, high, higher, late, cosmopolitan and experienced. Near antonyms include complex, complicated, intricate and involved.

How do you use "Primitive" in a sentence?

Examples of "Primitive" in a sentence: "primitive wooden tools were used before the Iron Age"; "a primitive period in church history when members still lived in communes"; "her taste in art was still primitive, but she knew schlock when she saw it".

Is "Primitive" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Primitive" can be used as an adjective and a noun, depending on the context.

How do you pronounce "Primitive"?

"Primitive" is pronounced /ˈpri-mə-tiv/ and divided into syllables as prim·i·tive.

What is the origin of the word "Primitive"?

"Primitive" comes from Middle English prymytyff, primitive "early (of the Christian church), non-corporeal (of the cause of a disease)," borrowed from Middle French & Medieval Latin; Middle French primitif "original, primary (of a cause)," borrowed from Medieval Latin prīmitīvus "belonging to the earliest time or state, original," going back to Latin, "early, first-formed," from prīmitus "at first, for the first time, originally" (from prīmus "first, foremost, earliest" + -itus, adverbial suffix of origin) + -īvus -ive prime:1. First known use: 15th century.