primitive

1 of 2

adjective

prim·​i·​tive ˈpri-mə-tiv How to pronounce primitive (audio)
1
a
: not derived : original, primary
b
: assumed as a basis
especially : axiomatic
primitive concepts
2
a
: of or relating to the earliest age or period : primeval
the primitive church
b
: closely approximating an early ancestral type : little evolved
primitive mammals
c
: belonging to or characteristic of an early stage of development : crude, rudimentary
primitive technology
d
: of, relating to, or constituting the assumed parent speech of related languages
primitive Germanic
3
a
: elemental, natural
our primitive feelings of vengeanceJohn Mackwood
b
sometimes offensive : of, relating to, or produced by a people or culture that is nonindustrial and often nonliterate and tribal
primitive art
c
: naive
d(1)
: self-taught, untutored
primitive craftsmen
(2)
: produced by a self-taught artist
a primitive painting
primitively adverb
primitiveness noun
primitivity noun

primitive

2 of 2

noun

plural primitives
1
a
: something primitive
specifically : an original or primary idea, term, or proposition
b
: a root word
2
a(1)
: an artist of an early period of a culture or artistic movement
(2)
: a later imitator or follower of such an artist
b(1)
: a self-taught artist
(2)
: an artist whose work is marked by directness and naivete
c
: a work of art produced by an Indigenous (see indigenous sense 1b) artist
d
: a typically rough or simple usually handmade and antique home accessory or furnishing
3
a
dated, sometimes offensive : a member of a people that is nonindustrial, often tribal, and often without a written language
b
disparaging + often offensive : an unsophisticated person

Examples of primitive in a Sentence

Adjective the time when primitive man first learned to use fire The technology they used was primitive and outdated. The camp had only a primitive outdoor toilet. Noun The museum is known for its collection of American primitives.
Recent Examples on the Web
Adjective
Houde said these mammoth animals are a primitive group of proboscideans ('elephantoids') from which modern elephants evolved. Joseph J. Kolb, Fox News, 18 July 2017 Many are primitive and remote, and don’t have restrooms or water. OregonLive.com, 12 July 2017
Noun
Burlington Antique Show Browse more than 200 dealers of antiques, vintage jewelry, primitives, garden and architectural elements, mid-century collectibles, memorabilia, Americana and retro/vintage furniture at this monthly outdoor antique market. Luann Gibbs, The Enquirer, 14 Aug. 2024 It can be used to achieve a lot of other cryptographic primitives. Quanta Magazine, 1 Aug. 2024 See all Example Sentences for primitive 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'primitive.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English prymytyff, primitive "early (of the Christian church), non-corporeal (of the cause of a disease)," borrowed from Middle French & Medieval Latin; Middle French primitif "original, primary (of a cause)," borrowed from Medieval Latin prīmitīvus "belonging to the earliest time or state, original," going back to Latin, "early, first-formed," from prīmitus "at first, for the first time, originally" (from prīmus "first, foremost, earliest" + -itus, adverbial suffix of origin) + -īvus -ive — more at prime entry 1

Noun

noun derivative of primitive entry 1; (sense 1b) Middle English, borrowed from Medieval Latin prīmitīvus, noun derivative of prīmitīvus "primary, original"

First Known Use

Adjective

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1b

Time Traveler
The first known use of primitive was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near primitive

Cite this Entry

“Primitive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/primitive. Accessed 5 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

primitive

1 of 2 adjective
prim·​i·​tive ˈprim-ət-iv How to pronounce primitive (audio)
1
a
: of or relating to the earliest age or period
primitive forests
the primitive church
b
: closely resembling an ancient ancestor
a primitive fish
2
: belonging to or characteristic of an early stage of development
primitive tools
3
sometimes offensive : of or relating to a people or culture that lacks a written language and advanced technologies
primitive societies
4
: being or made by a self-taught artist
primitively adverb
primitiveness noun

primitive

2 of 2 noun
1
: something primitive : something basic or original
2
: a member of a primitive people

Medical Definition

primitive

adjective
prim·​i·​tive ˈprim-ət-iv How to pronounce primitive (audio)
1
: closely approximating an early ancestral type : little evolved
2
: belonging to or characteristic of an early stage of development
primitive cells
primitively adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on primitive

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