Entry Word: primitive

Function: adjective

Meaning: 1 belonging to or characteristic of an early level of skill or development <primitive wooden tools were used before the Iron Age>

Synonyms crude, low, rude, rudimentary

Related Words basic, simple, uncomplicated; homely, homespun, unsophisticated; early, 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antediluvian, antiquated, antique, dated, fusty, hoary, musty, obsolete, old, oldfangled, old-fashioned, old-time, out-of-date, outworn, passé, past

Near Antonyms complex, complicated, intricate, involved, sophisticated; full-blown, full-grown, grown, mature, matured, perfected, ripe, ripened; civilized, cultivated, enlightened, refined; contemporary, current, latest, mod, modern, new, newfangled, new-fashioned, novel, now, present-day, space-age, ultramodern, up-to-date

Antonyms advanced, developed, evolved, higher

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> — see early 1