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First things first. "Primeval" comes from the Latin words primus, meaning "first, and aevum, meaning "age." In Latin, those terms were brought together to form "primaevus," a word that means "of or relating to the earliest ages." Other English words that descend from "primus" include "prime" and "primary," "primordial" (a synonym of "primeval"), and "primitive." "Primus" also gave rise to some terms for folks who are number one in charge, including "prince" and "principal."
Examples of primeval in a Sentence
Edward Ring, Oc Register, 22 Apr. 2025
Six secluded individual bungalows sit behind a network of thriving greenery meant to evoke Miyakojima’s inland primeval forests.
—Kristin Braswell, Travel + Leisure, 15 Apr. 2025
The campground setting has a primeval feel, situated in dense old growth forest along the scenic Smith River, where banana slugs frolic (okay, maybe move slowly and strangely).
—Jenna Blough, Outside Online, 8 Apr. 2025
The little mountain park lay almost at our feet, a gem of unspoiled primeval beauty.
—Percy Brown, Outdoor Life, 26 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for primeval
Cite this Entry
“Primeval.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/primeval. Accessed 6 May. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
from Latin primaevus "relating to the very earliest ages," from primus "first" and aevum "age" — related to prime
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