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Intermediate Dictionary
       

pri·ma·ry

primary

 
 
pronunciation:
praI mer i [or] praI mr i
parts of speech:
adjective, noun
features:
Word Explorer, Word Parts
part of speech: adjective
definition 1: main; chief.
He played a primary role in our success.Beethoven's pieces for piano helped make the piano the primary keyboard instrument.
synonyms:
chief, dominant, key, main, paramount, prime, principal
antonyms:
lesser, secondary, subordinate
similar words:
basic, cardinal, central, critical, essential, fundamental, head, important, lead, major, necessary, supreme, vital
definition 2: first in time or order.
The caterpillar is the primary growth stage of the butterfly.
synonyms:
earliest, early, first, initial, original
antonyms:
final
similar words:
basic, beginning, elementary, genetic, opening, preliminary
 
part of speech: noun
inflections: primaries
definition: an early election in the United States, where members of each political party vote for a candidate to run for office in the general election.
The party members will be choosing among four candidates in the primary next week.
similar words:
election
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