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 of primal

• main
• greatest
• primary
• highest
• predominant
• dominant
• foremost
• big
• first
• central

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

Focusing strictly on survival, the History series strands 10 individuals by themselves in the wilderness, testing their primal instincts and adaptability. —Kevin Jacobsen, Entertainment Weekly, 4 Feb. 2026

Land is a primal word, primordial even, like lava. —Tommy Orange, Condé Nast Traveler, 31 Jan. 2026

Being able to peel all of those back to this primal core, connecting with nature, seeing just the beauty of sunrises and sunsets and experiencing that with a group of strangers that then could potentially become lifelong friends. —Stephanie Petit, PEOPLE, 29 Jan. 2026

In the film, McAdams plays Linda, a timid employee who is stranded on a desert island with her sleazy boss (Dylan O’Brien) and begins to resort to a more primal personality. —Jenelle Riley, Variety, 20 Jan. 2026

Word History

Etymology

probably from prime entry 1 + -al entry 1

First Known Use

1604, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing primal

• primal scream therapy

Rhymes for primal

• thymol
• ependymal
• mesenchymal
• lachrymal
• lacrimal

Kids Definition

primal

adjective

pri·​mal ˈprī-məl 

1

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

2

: first in importance : basic