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

• arch
• big
• capital
• cardinal
• central
• chief
• dominant
• first
• foremost
• grand
• great
• greatest
• highest
• key
• leading
• main
• master
• number one
• No. 1
• numero uno
• overbearing
• overmastering
• overriding
• paramount
• predominant
• preeminent
• premier
• primary
• principal
• prior
• sovereign
• sovran
• supreme

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

And so, The Promised Land transforms from a stately and lyrical tale of rural survival to something more primal and intense; think Terrence Malick’s Days of Heaven crossed with Michael Caton-Jones’s Rob Roy, only with more scenes of people being boiled alive. —Alison Willmore, Vulture, 4 June 2024

Power, resilience, and something primal—all qualities often expected to be muted in women. —Kinza Shenn, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 May 2024

The birds, no longer sleepy, twitter endlessly with deep gladness and primal longing, anticipating the charm and freedom of spring about to break on our world. —Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 21 Mar. 2024

Cardinal: Initiation and creation Cardinal signs mark the beginning of a calendar season, and so represent the most primal force of each element. —Valerie Mesa, Peoplemag, 31 May 2024

Word History

Etymology

probably from prime entry 2 + -al entry 1

First Known Use

1604, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing primal

• primal scream therapy

Kids Definition

primal

adjective

pri·​mal ˈprī-məl 

1

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

2

: first in importance : basic