Primitive Definition
primitive
adjective
- belonging to an early stage of technical development; characterized by simplicity and (often) crudeness; "the crude weapons and rude agricultural implements of early man"; "primitive movies of the 1890s"; "primitive living conditions in the Appalachian mountains"
- little evolved from or characteristic of an earlier ancestral type; "archaic forms of life"; "primitive mammals"; "the okapi is a short-necked primitive cousin of the giraffe"
- used of preliterate or tribal or nonindustrial societies; "primitive societies"
- of or created by one without formal training; simple or naive in style; "primitive art such as that by Grandma Moses is often colorful and striking"
noun
- a person who belongs to an early stage of civilization
- a mathematical expression from which another expression is derived
- a word serving as the basis for inflected or derived forms; "`pick' is the primitive from which `picket' is derived"
Usage tips for "primitive"
Understanding the precise definition of a word helps you use it with confidence. When using "primitive" in your writing, consider whether you need the word itself or one of its synonyms — subtle differences in meaning can change the tone of a sentence. If you're writing poetry or song lyrics, check the rhymes for primitive to find words that pair well.