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

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

More than a decade later, the series continues to reimagine American histories and channel primal fears — from clowns and cults, to witches and ghosts — with each installment cloaked in social commentary and camp. —James Mercadante, Entertainment Weekly, 1 Oct. 2025

Watching a mother turtle haul herself ashore under a canopy of stars to lay her eggs is a truly primal and humbling sight. —Stacey Leasca, Travel + Leisure, 29 Sep. 2025

This is where Birmingham’s industrial heritage meets the primal spectacle of live fire cooking. —Rai Mincey, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2025

Ali—or Richard Durham channeling Ali—would write just months after the fight that some part of him had always rebelled against the primal allure of his sport. —Vann R. Newkirk Ii, The Atlantic, 16 Sep. 2025

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