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

The question, of course, is what we are supposed to do with these bourgeois jeremiads against bourgeois civilization, beyond enjoying them as high-end primal-scream therapy. —Alex Ross, New Yorker, 15 June 2026

Strutting across the stage, hitting little dances, casting sharp looks into the camera, unleashing primal Auto-screams—Jane Remover was confident at Gov Ball. —Mano Sundaresan, Pitchfork, 10 June 2026

While our money would be on The Last Son of Krypton in a main card matchup, Lobo fights dirty with a level of primal savagery that just might put the Big Blue Boy Scout and his cousin down for a few rounds. —Jeff Spry, Space.com, 6 June 2026

Three hours later, when the team recognized the severity of the extravasation injury, professional awareness gave way to primal helplessness. —Nisha Narayanan, STAT, 5 June 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