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

The genre pic stars Johnny Sequoyah, Jessica Alexander and Troy Kotsur and centers on a group of friends on a tropical vacation that turns into a terrifying and primal tale of horror and survival. —Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 16 Oct. 2025

In the pic, a group of friends’ tropical vacation turns into a terrifying, primal tale of horror and survival. —Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 16 Oct. 2025

This kind of primal, underground adventure is drawing more travelers every year. —Heide Brandes, AFAR Media, 15 Oct. 2025

There was an aspect to the story that really hit my heart hard in Bruno Lacombe’s radical philosophy, which posits that modern humans have lost their essential connection to the primal elements of existence. —Emily Temple, Literary Hub, 14 Oct. 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