prim

1 of 3

adjective

primmer; primmest
1
a
: stiffly formal and proper : decorous
b
2
: neat, trim
prim hedges
primly adverb
primness noun

prim

2 of 3

verb

primmed; primming

transitive verb

1
: to give a prim or demure expression to
primming her thin lips after every mouthfulJohn Buchan
2
: to dress primly

prim

3 of 3

abbreviation

Examples of prim in a Sentence

Adjective He has prim views on religion. Her aunts were very prim and proper.
Recent Examples on the Web
Adjective
Textured Cotton Jacket, $3,400 One such theme was prim tailoring with a feminine twist. Christina Holevas, Vogue, 12 Sep. 2024 Photo : Courtesy of The Chelsea Townhouse Best for Couples: The Chelsea Townhouse Like staying in the townhouse of your well-heeled great aunt, Chelsea’s newest city escape offers prim and proper pampering. Katie Lockhart, Robb Report, 30 July 2024 Elsa’s father, Ferdinando, was as rich as Croesus but, scandalized by his daughter turning her back on the family’s prim, conservative ways, left her to make a living for herself. Hamish Bowles, Vogue, 5 Aug. 2024 As the wild child of the prim and proper Catton family, Felix's sister Venetia (Alison Oliver) wears clothes that perfectly reflect her rebellious and promiscuous persona. Victoria Montalti, refinery29.com, 23 Jan. 2024 See all Example Sentences for prim 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'prim.' 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

derivative of or akin to prim entry 2

Verb

earlier as intransitive verb, "to assume a formal or demure air," of obscure origin

Note: First attested in the comedies of Thomas d'urfey, as Fool's Preferment (1688) and The Marriage-Hater Match'd (1692). Akin in sense to primp, attested earlier, though the verb as well as the adjective primp "(of the mouth) pursed, primly set" are nearly exclusive to Scots and American English.

First Known Use

Adjective

1702, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

1707, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of prim was in 1702

Dictionary Entries Near prim

Cite this Entry

“Prim.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/prim. Accessed 6 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

prim

adjective
ˈprim
primmer; primmest
: very fussy about one's appearance and behavior
primly adverb
primness noun

More from Merriam-Webster on prim

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