prim·i·tive
ˈpri-mə-tiv 
1
2
a
: of or relating to the earliest age or period : primeval
the primitive church
b
: closely approximating an early ancestral type : little evolved
primitive mammals
c
: belonging to or characteristic of an early stage of development : crude, rudimentary
primitive technology
d
: of, relating to, or constituting the assumed parent speech of related languages
primitive Germanic
3
b
sometimes offensive
: of, relating to, or produced by a people or culture that is nonindustrial and often nonliterate and tribal
primitive art
c
: naive
d(1)
: self-taught, untutored
primitive craftsmen
(2)
: produced by a self-taught artist
a primitive painting
1
a
: something primitive
specifically
: a primitive idea, term, or proposition
b
: a root word
2
a(1)
: an artist of an early period of a culture or artistic movement
(2)
: a later imitator or follower of such an artist
b(1)
: a self-taught artist
(2)
: an artist whose work is marked by directness and naïveté
c
: a work of art produced by a primitive artist
d
: a typically rough or simple usually handmade and antique home accessory or furnishing
3
a
: a member of a primitive people
b
: an unsophisticated person
Synonyms
Examples of primitive in a Sentence
Adjective
the time when primitive man first learned to use fire
The technology they used was primitive and outdated.
The camp had only a primitive outdoor toilet.
Noun
The museum is known for its collection of American primitives.
Recent Examples on the Web
Joseph J. Kolb, Fox News, 18 July 2017
Many are primitive and remote, and don’t have restrooms or water.
—OregonLive.com, 12 July 2017
Quanta Magazine, 1 Aug. 2024
Burlington Antique Show Browse more than 200 dealers of antiques, vintage jewelry, primitives, garden and architectural elements, mid-century collectibles, memorabilia, Americana and retro/vintage furniture.
—Luann Gibbs, The Enquirer, 17 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for primitive 
Adjective
Houde said these mammoth animals are a primitive group of proboscideans ('elephantoids') from which modern elephants evolved.
—Joseph J. Kolb, Fox News, 18 July 2017
Many are primitive and remote, and don’t have restrooms or water.
—OregonLive.com, 12 July 2017
Noun
It can be used to achieve a lot of other cryptographic primitives.
—Quanta Magazine, 1 Aug. 2024
Burlington Antique Show Browse more than 200 dealers of antiques, vintage jewelry, primitives, garden and architectural elements, mid-century collectibles, memorabilia, Americana and retro/vintage furniture.
—Luann Gibbs, The Enquirer, 17 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for primitive
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'primitive.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near primitive
Cite this Entry
“Primitive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/primitive. Accessed 19 Aug. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
primitive
1 of 2 adjective
prim·i·tive
ˈprim-ət-iv
1
a
: of or relating to the earliest age or period
primitive forests
the primitive church
b
: closely resembling an ancient ancestor
a primitive fish
2
: belonging to or characteristic of an early stage of development
primitive tools
3
sometimes offensive
: of or relating to a people or culture that lacks a written language and advanced technologies
primitive societies
4
: being or made by a self-taught artist
primitively
adverb
primitiveness
noun
primitive
2 of 2 noun1
: something primitive : something basic or original
2
: a member of a primitive people
Medical Definition
primitive
adjective
prim·i·tive
ˈprim-ət-iv
1
: closely approximating an early ancestral type : little evolved
2
: belonging to or characteristic of an early stage of development
primitive cells
primitively
adverb
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