primeval

pri·me·val

adjective \prī-ˈmē-vəl\

Definition of PRIMEVAL

1

: of or relating to the earliest ages (as of the world or human history) : ancient, primitive <100 acres of primeval forest which has never felt an ax — Mary R. Zimmer>

2

: primordial 1b

— pri·me·val·ly \-və-lē\ adverb

Examples of PRIMEVAL

1. <primeval forests slowly disappearing as the climate changed>

Origin of PRIMEVAL

Latin primaevus, from primus first + aevum age — more at aye

First Known Use: 1662

Related to PRIMEVAL

Synonyms

ancient, primal, early, primitive, primordial

Antonyms

late

Related Words

budding, embryonic, germinal, infant; aged, age-old, antediluvian, antiquated, antique, dateless, hoary, old, prehistoric (also prehistorical); obsolete, outmoded, out-of-date, passé

Near Antonyms

advanced, complex, developed, evolved, high, higher; full-blown, full-fledged, full-scale

Rhymes with PRIMEVAL

boll weevil, coeval, king's evil, medieval, reprieval, retrieval, upheaval