primary
13 synonyms and 1 antonym for primary, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adj — Most important; main.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
primary coil
primary quill
primary feather
primary winding
primary election
Antonyms
How to use primary
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
primary concern
primary school
win the primary
primary source
Etymology
From Latin prīmārius, "of the first rank, chief," from prīmus ("first").
Full origin of primary →Frequently asked questions
What does “primary” mean?
The word “primary” means most important; main. In plain terms, the main or most important one, or (in politics) the vote that picks a party's candidate.
How do you pronounce “primary”?
“Primary” is pronounced PREYE-mree (/ˈpɹaɪˌmɛɹ.i/ in IPA).
How do you use “primary” in a sentence?
Here is “primary” used in a sentence: “Her primary concern was her children's safety.”
What part of speech is “primary”?
Depending on how it is used, “primary” can be an adjective and a noun.
Where does the word “primary” come from?
The word “primary” comes from Latin. From Latin prīmārius, "of the first rank, chief," from prīmus ("first").
Is “primary” a common word?
“Primary” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “primary” have?
“Primary” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: most important; main.
What is the difference between primary and secondary?
Primary means first in rank, order, or importance — the main thing. Secondary means coming after it: less important, or derived from something else. A primary goal is the one that matters most; a secondary goal is a lesser addition. In research, a primary source is original, while a secondary source comments on or interprets it.
What is the difference between primary and principal?
The two are close and often interchangeable when they mean 'main' — a primary reason and a principal reason are much the same. 'Principal' leans slightly toward the single most senior or leading one, as in the principal dancer. 'Primary' emphasises being first or foundational. In most everyday sentences either word reads naturally.
What is an example of primary?
'Safety is our primary concern' means it outranks everything else. Other examples: a company's primary market, a patient's primary symptom, or your primary reason for a decision. In each case, 'primary' singles out the one item that leads or matters most, setting it above any secondary or supporting factors.
Related words
first
primus inter pares
