primal

adjective

pri·​mal ˈprī-məl 

1

: original, primitive

village life continued in its primal innocence

—Van Wyck Brooks

2

: first in importance : primary

Synonyms

• arch
• big
• capital
• cardinal
• central
• chief
• dominant
• first
• foremost
• grand
• great
• greatest
• highest
• key
• leading
• main
• master
• number one
• No. 1
• numero uno
• overbearing
• overmastering
• overriding
• paramount
• predominant
• preeminent
• premier
• primary
• principal
• prior
• sovereign
• sovran
• supreme

Examples of primal in a Sentence

the primal theme of the essay is toleration of religious diversity

there was a period of primal idealism after the founding of the republic and before the rise of partisan politics

Recent Examples on the Web

Cardinal: Initiation and creation Cardinal signs mark the beginning of a calendar season, and so represent the most primal force of each element. —Valerie Mesa, Peoplemag, 31 May 2024

Eden’s frank embrace of her most primal urges during her pregnancy in Babes is hilarious, but her feelings and desires aren’t reduced to jokes. —Cady Lang, TIME, 24 May 2024

Their souls and personalities are formed within the primal bonds to this specific family, that specific ethnic culture, this piece of land with its long history to my people, to that specific obedience to the God of my ancestors. —David Brooks, The Mercury News, 22 May 2024

All three markets stimulate arriving shoppers with vast, artful displays of fruits and vegetables — piles and piles of them, a half-acre of them — and the rich scenery triggers the primal plant eater in your brain. —Dan Rodricks, Baltimore Sun, 15 Mar. 2024

Word History

Etymology

probably from prime entry 2 + -al entry 1

First Known Use

1604, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing primal

• primal scream therapy

Kids Definition

primal

adjective

pri·​mal ˈprī-məl 

1

: of or relating to the first period or state : primitive

2

: first in importance : basic