Primitive: meaning, definitions and examples

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primitive

 

[ หˆprษชmษชtษชv ]

Adjective / Noun
Context #1 | Adjective

in technology

relating to or denoting a preliterate, nonindustrial society or culture characterized by simple social and economic organization.

Synonyms

prehistoric, uncivilized, undeveloped.

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Word Description / Examples
primitive

Used to describe the early stages of development, something basic, simple or unsophisticated.

  • They found primitive tools at the archaeological site.
  • The village had a somewhat primitive way of life without modern amenities.
undeveloped

Used to describe countries, areas, or technologies that are not advanced or highly developed. Often used in economic or societal contexts.

  • Many rural areas remain undeveloped and lack basic infrastructure.
  • The undeveloped technology needs further research before it can be released commercially.
uncivilized

Used to describe behavior or societies that are considered to lack culture, refinement, or progress. This term has a negative connotation.

  • The explorers referred to the indigenous people they met as uncivilized, which was both unfair and disrespectful.
  • Calling someone uncivilized because of their different customs is inappropriate.
prehistoric

Used to describe the period of time before written records were kept, often indicating something very old.

  • The prehistoric era is fascinating for its mystery and ancient artifacts.
  • They discovered prehistoric cave paintings that date back thousands of years.

Examples of usage

  • The tribe still lives in a primitive society, relying on hunting and gathering for survival.
  • Primitive tools such as stone axes were used by early humans for hunting and building shelters.
Context #2 | Adjective

in design

relating to or denoting a simple, unsophisticated style, especially in art or technology.

Synonyms

basic, crude, elementary.

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Word Description / Examples
primitive

Describing something that is very old or simple, often related to early human history or development.

  • The primitive tools found in the cave date back thousands of years
  • The tribe still uses primitive methods for hunting
basic

Used when referring to something simple or fundamental, without any extra features or complexity.

  • I need to learn the basic principles of the subject before I can understand the more advanced concepts
  • The house is small and basic, but it's enough for my needs
elementary

Related to the simple, initial stages of learning or development; often used in educational contexts.

  • She is teaching elementary math to first graders
  • Before advancing, you need to have an elementary understanding of the subject
crude

This term often describes something made in a rough or unrefined manner, sometimes implying a lack of sophistication.

  • His crude language offended many people at the meeting
  • The drawing was a crude sketch, not a finished piece of art

Examples of usage

  • The artist preferred a primitive art style, using basic shapes and colors.
  • The designer chose a primitive font for the logo to convey a sense of raw creativity.
Context #3 | Noun

in biology

an early or original form or state.

Synonyms

ancestor, primordial, prototype.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
primitive

This word is often used to describe something that is early in development or lacks complexity, often with a negative connotation. It can be applied to early humans, tools, or technology.

  • The tools they used were quite primitive, made from stone and bone.
  • The village still followed primitive agricultural practices.
prototype

This word is used to describe the first version or model of something from which other forms are developed. It is commonly used in technology, engineering, and design.

  • They built a prototype of the new car to test its performance.
  • The smartphone prototype was revealed at the tech conference.
ancestor

This word is used to describe a person from whom one is descended. It is typically used in the context of genealogy and family history.

  • Her ancestors came from Ireland in the 19th century.
  • The ancient Greeks are considered the ancestors of Western culture.
primordial

Use this word to refer to something that has existed from the beginning of time or the earliest stage of development. It often describes elements of the natural world or the universe.

  • Scientists study the primordial soup to understand the origins of life.
  • The concept of love can be considered a primordial human emotion.

Examples of usage

  • The fossil represents a primitive of the modern-day species.
  • In evolutionary biology, researchers study the characteristics of primitive organisms.

Translations

Translations of the word "primitive" in other languages:

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น primitivo

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ เคชเฅเคฐเคพเคฅเคฎเคฟเค•

๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช primitiv

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ primitif

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ะฟั€ะธะผั–ั‚ะธะฒะฝะธะน

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฑ prymitywny

๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต ๅŽŸๅง‹็š„ (genshiteki)

๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท primitif

๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ primitivo

๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท ilkel

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท ์›์‹œ์ ์ธ (wonsijeog-in)

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ุจุฏุงุฆูŠ

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฟ primitivnรญ

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฐ primitรญvny

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ ๅŽŸๅง‹็š„ (yuรกnshว de)

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฎ primitiven

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ธ frumstรฆtt

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ฟ า›ะฐั€ะฐะฟะฐะนั‹ะผ

๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ช แƒžแƒ แƒ˜แƒ›แƒ˜แƒขแƒ˜แƒฃแƒšแƒ˜

๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ฟ primitiv

๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ primitivo

Etymology

The word 'primitive' originated from the Latin word 'primitivus', which means 'first of its kind' or 'earliest of its time'. It was first used in English in the late 14th century to refer to things that are ancient, original, or basic. Over time, the term evolved to encompass various meanings related to simplicity, early stages, and lack of sophistication.

See also: primacy, primate, prime, primer.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #3,803, this word is part of upper-intermediate vocabulary. While not among the most basic terms, it appears often enough to be valuable for advanced communication.