primitive
gb/pɹˈɪmɪtɪv/ us/pɹˈɪmɪtɪv/
B1
English
~ 3600
kezdetleges, ősember, ősforma, ősi, primitív
B1
1
kezdetleges
B2
Usage pattern:
[something] is primitive
The tribe still uses primitive tools made of stone.
A törzs még mindig kezdetleges, kőből készült eszközöket használ.
Medical care in the area is very primitive compared to the city.
A környéken az orvosi ellátás a városihoz képest nagyon kezdetleges.
Early computers were primitive by today's standards.
They lived in a primitive hut in the forest.
Learner examples
We cooked food on a primitive fire.
Kezdetleges tűzrakóhelyen készítettük el az ételt.
The village has primitive houses.
A faluban kezdetleges házak vannak.
He made a primitive boat from wood.
The old phone looks primitive now.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'primitive' with 'primary'. 'Primary' means 'main' or 'first', while 'primitive' means 'simple and not developed'.
Meaning
Simple and undeveloped
Collocations
primitive tools
|primitive technology
|primitive housing
|primitive methods
Synonyms
basic (Implies simplicity without necessarily being old-fashioned or undeveloped.)
|
rudimentary (Suggests the most basic form, often incomplete or underdeveloped.)
Antonyms
advanced (Describes something highly developed or modern, the opposite of primitive.)
|
sophisticated (Implies complexity and refinement, contrasting with primitive's simplicity.)
Themes
technology
|history
|society
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Very simple and not modern or advanced.
Describing something that is basic, simple, and lacking modern features or advanced development.
NOUN
B2
TECHNICAL
2
Anthropologists discovered the remains of a primitive in the cave.
Az antropológusok egy ősember maradványait fedezték fel a barlangban.
The fossil shows features typical of early primates and other primitives.
A kövület a korai főemlősökre és más ősformákra jellemző vonásokat mutat.
Some scientists study primitives to understand human evolution.
Learner examples
They found bones of a primitive.
Egy ősember csontjait találták meg.
The museum has a picture of a primitive.
A múzeumban van egy kép egy ősemberről.
A primitive lived many years ago.
Meaning
An early human or animal form
Collocations
prehistoric primitives
|evolutionary primitives
Synonyms
ancestor (Refers to a predecessor, but not necessarily primitive in development.)
Antonyms
modern human (Refers to current, anatomically developed humans.)
Themes
science
|history
|animals
Definition
An early kind of human or animal that lived a long time ago.
An early stage human or animal, especially in evolutionary history or anthropology.
B2
TECHNICAL
3
Usage pattern:
[something] is primitive
Primitive mammals were small and nocturnal.
Az ősi emlősök kicsik voltak, és éjszakai életmódot folytattak.
The language has primitive features no longer found in related languages.
A nyelvnek olyan ősi vonásai vannak, amelyek a rokon nyelvekben már nem találhatók meg.
These fossils come from a primitive stage of plant evolution.
Learner examples
The fish is a primitive animal.
Ez a hal ősi eredetű állatfaj.
Primitive people lived many years ago.
Az őskori emberek nagyon régen éltek.
This plant is from a primitive time.
Meaning
Existing at an early stage
Collocations
primitive species
|primitive culture
Synonyms
early (Can mean occurring near the start, but less tied to evolutionary context.)
Antonyms
developed (Indicates later stages with more complexity.)
Themes
science
|history
|time
Definition
From an early time in history or growth.
Relating to an early stage in the evolutionary or historical development of something.
Grammar
Dictionary form
primitive
IPA
GB/pɹˈɪmɪtɪv/
US/pɹˈɪmɪtɪv/
Syllables & stress
prim - it - ive (3 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (prim)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: primitive
Noun
- Base: primitive
- Plural: primitives
Word family
Forms
primitives
noun
Core family
primitively
adverb C1
primitiveness
noun
Advanced or less common
primitivism
noun
primitivist
noun
Expressions
in a primitive state
1/ˈɪn ə pɹˈɪmɪtɪv stˈeɪt/
fixed phrase
In a basic, undeveloped condition
In a simple way without modern things or changes.
Examples
- The house was left in a primitive state after years of neglect.
- Much of the rural area remains in a primitive state.
primitive instincts
2/pɹˈɪmɪtɪv ˈɪnstɪŋkts/
fixed phrase
Basic natural urges from early times
Natural feelings or needs that people had from very early times.
Examples
- Fear of the dark is one of our primitive instincts.
- Primitive instincts can take over in dangerous situations.