primmer; primmest
primly
adverb
primness
noun
primmed; primming
1
: to give a prim or demure expression to
… primming her thin lips after every mouthful …—
John Buchan
John Buchan2
: to dress primly
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
Calin Van Paris, InStyle, 16 Feb. 2026
The film is incredibly, even magnificently, stylish, but beyond its initial presentation, there just isn’t very much guiding the story in any novel or exciting ways — beyond, perhaps, thematic echoes of how the less prim-and-proper tech bros of today might be pulling a fast one too.
—Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 15 Feb. 2026
Last year’s boxing boot trend set the stage for a more prim and polished throwback in 2026.
—Shelby Ying Hyde, Refinery29, 4 Feb. 2026
Her character, a prim lawyer with a perfect ponytail named Kim Wexler, was initially meant to provide Bob Odenkirk’s Jimmy, a character spun off from Breaking Bad, with someone to confide in.
—Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 15 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for prim
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Adjective
The curls and romantic coifs of previous years were swapped for straighter, more polished strands and a rotation of prim buns and neat half-updos, albeit with her signature bangs intact.
—Calin Van Paris, InStyle, 16 Feb. 2026
The film is incredibly, even magnificently, stylish, but beyond its initial presentation, there just isn’t very much guiding the story in any novel or exciting ways — beyond, perhaps, thematic echoes of how the less prim-and-proper tech bros of today might be pulling a fast one too.
—Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 15 Feb. 2026
Last year’s boxing boot trend set the stage for a more prim and polished throwback in 2026.
—Shelby Ying Hyde, Refinery29, 4 Feb. 2026
Her character, a prim lawyer with a perfect ponytail named Kim Wexler, was initially meant to provide Bob Odenkirk’s Jimmy, a character spun off from Breaking Bad, with someone to confide in.
—Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 15 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for prim
Cite this Entry
“Prim.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/prim. Accessed 18 Feb. 2026.
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