prehistoric
1 synonym and 2 antonyms for prehistoric, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adjective — Belonging to the time before humans kept written records.
Synonyms
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
prehistorical
Synonyms by Meaning
1. adjective
Belonging to the time before humans kept written records.
“Archaeologists found prehistoric tools buried in the cave.”
prehistorical
2. adjective
Extremely old-fashioned or outdated (used loosely, often humorously).
“My uncle still uses a prehistoric flip phone.”
Opposites
How to use prehistoric
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
prehistoric times
prehistoric era
prehistoric creature
Etymology
From pre- ("before") plus historic.
Full origin of prehistoric →Frequently asked questions
What does “prehistoric” mean?
The word “prehistoric” means belonging to the time before humans kept written records. In plain terms, literally "before written history," but often used casually to mean "ancient" or "hopelessly outdated.".
How do you use “prehistoric” in a sentence?
Here is “prehistoric” used in a sentence: “Archaeologists found prehistoric tools buried in the cave.”
What part of speech is “prehistoric”?
“Prehistoric” is an adjective.
Is “prehistoric” a common word?
“Prehistoric” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “prehistoric” have?
“Prehistoric” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: belonging to the time before humans kept written records.
