primitive
PRIH-mih-tihv
Primitive (adj) means belonging to an early stage of development; basic or unrefined. Example: “They lived in primitive conditions with no running water.”
adj
1
Belonging to an early stage of development; basic or unrefined.
"They lived in primitive conditions with no running water."
"The tool was primitive compared to modern equipment."
"Early humans made primitive shelters from branches and animal skins."
noun
1
(computing) A basic data type or simple building block from which more complex structures are made.
"Integers and booleans are examples of primitives in most programming languages."
"Strings and numbers are primitives that you can combine into larger structures."
"In this language, a primitive is stored directly rather than as an object."
How to use primitive
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishVery basic, early, or unrefined — or, in tech, a fundamental building-block type.
Common mistake
In everyday use, calling a person or culture "primitive" can sound dismissive; in computing and design, the word is neutral and just means "basic building block."
Common pairings
primitive tools
primitive conditions
data primitive
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Word forms
- Plural
- primitives
- Comparative
- more primitive
- Superlative
- most primitive
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
They lived in _____ conditions with no running water.
Etymology
From Latin prīmitīvus, "first or earliest of its kind," from prīmus ("first").
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for primitive
See all rhymes for primitive →Frequently asked questions
What does “primitive” mean?
The word “primitive” means belonging to an early stage of development; basic or unrefined. In plain terms, very basic, early, or unrefined — or, in tech, a fundamental building-block type.
How do you pronounce “primitive”?
“Primitive” is pronounced PRIH-mih-tihv (/ˈpɹɪmɪtɪv/ in IPA).
How do you use “primitive” in a sentence?
Here is “primitive” used in a sentence: “They lived in primitive conditions with no running water.”
What part of speech is “primitive”?
Depending on how it is used, “primitive” can be an adjective and a noun.
Where does the word “primitive” come from?
The word “primitive” comes from Latin. From Latin prīmitīvus, "first or earliest of its kind," from prīmus ("first").
Is “primitive” a common word?
“Primitive” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “primitive” have?
“Primitive” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: belonging to an early stage of development; basic or unrefined.
What is the difference between primitive and primeval?
Primitive describes something belonging to an early stage of development, or something basic and unrefined, and can apply to tools, societies, or technology. Primeval more specifically refers to the earliest ages of the world's existence, with a stronger sense of ancient, prehistoric time.
What does primitive mean in computing?
In computing, a primitive is a basic data type or simple building block, such as an integer or boolean, from which more complex data structures are constructed.
Is primitive an insulting word to use about people or cultures?
Primitive can carry negative or dismissive connotations when applied to people, societies, or cultures, since it implies a lack of development compared to a supposed standard. Many writers now avoid the term in that context in favour of more neutral, specific language.
