prim

¹prim

transitive verb \ˈprim\

primmedprim·ming

Definition of PRIM

1

: to give a prim or demure expression to <primming her thin lips after every mouthful — John Buchan>

2

: to dress primly

Origin of PRIM

origin unknown

First Known Use: 1706

Rhymes with PRIM

bream, brim, dim, glim, grim, Grimm, gym, him, hymn, limb, limn, mim, nim, rim, scrim, shim, skim, slim, swim, Tim, trim, vim, whim

²prim

adjective

prim·merprim·mest

Definition of PRIM

1

a : stiffly formal and proper : decorous

b : prudish

2

: neat, trim <prim hedges>

— prim·ly adverb

— prim·ness noun

Examples of PRIM

1. He has prim views on religion.
2. Her aunts were very prim and proper.

First Known Use of PRIM

1709

Related to PRIM

Synonyms

antiseptic, bandbox, crisp, groomed, kempt, orderly, picked up, neat, shipshape, smug, snug, tidied, tidy, trig, trim, uncluttered, well-groomed

Antonyms

disheveled (or dishevelled), disordered, disorderly, messy, mussed, mussy, sloven, slovenly, unkempt, untidy

Related Words

dapper, natty, saucy, smart, spiffy, spruce; immaculate, spick-and-span (or spic-and-span), spotless; rakish, sleek, streamlined, taut; organized, straight, systematic

Near Antonyms

scruffy, seedy, shabby, slipshod, sloppy; dirty, filthy, foul, nasty, sordid, squalid; dowdy, frowsy (or frowzy), rumpled, tousled, tumbled; disorganized, unsystematic

³prim

abbreviation

Definition of PRIM

1

primary

2

primitive