- pronunciation:
- prih
mih
tihv
- features:
- Word History, Word Explorer
| part of speech: |
adjective |
| definition 1: |
Something that is primitive is in an early stage of development.
Life changed dramatically for primitive humans when they learned how to use fire.My grandmother has only a primitive understanding of how computers work.- antonyms:
- advanced
- similar words:
- beginning, early, elementary, first, initial, original, primary
|
| definition 2: |
If something is primitive, it is simple and basic.
The camp consisted only of primitive cabins with no running water.- synonyms:
- plain
- antonyms:
- advanced, civilized
- similar words:
- crude, natural, rude, simple
|
| related words: |
antique, rough |
|
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| derivations: |
primitively (adv.), primitiveness (n.) |
Primitive comes from a Latin word that means "first or earliest of its kind."