primitive
gb/pɹˈɪmɪtɪv/ us/pɹˈɪmɪtɪv/
B1
English
~ 3600
Senses
0 senses
adjective
B1
property
1
Simple and undeveloped
Very simple and not modern or advanced.
Usage pattern:
[something] is primitive
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'primitive' with 'primary'. 'Primary' means 'main' or 'first', while 'primitive' means 'simple and not developed'.
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.)
Collocations
primitive tools
|primitive technology
|primitive housing
|primitive methods
Themes
technology
|history
|society
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The tribe still uses primitive tools made of stone.
- Medical care in the area is very primitive compared to the city.
- 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.
- The village has primitive houses.
- He made a primitive boat from wood.
- The old phone looks primitive now.
Noun
technical
B2
entity
2
An early human or animal form
An early kind of human or animal that lived a long time ago.
Synonyms
ancestor (Refers to a predecessor, but not necessarily primitive in development.)
Antonyms
modern human (Refers to current, anatomically developed humans.)
Collocations
prehistoric primitives
|evolutionary primitives
Themes
science
|history
|animals
Examples
- Anthropologists discovered the remains of a primitive in the cave.
- The fossil shows features typical of early primates and other primitives.
- Some scientists study primitives to understand human evolution.
Learner examples
- They found bones of a primitive.
- The museum has a picture of a primitive.
- A primitive lived many years ago.
adjective
technical
B2
property
3
Existing at an early stage
From an early time in history or growth.
Usage pattern:
[something] is primitive
Synonyms
early (Can mean occurring near the start, but less tied to evolutionary context.)
Antonyms
developed (Indicates later stages with more complexity.)
Collocations
primitive species
|primitive culture
Themes
science
|history
|time
Examples
- Primitive mammals were small and nocturnal.
- The language has primitive features no longer found in related languages.
- These fossils come from a primitive stage of plant evolution.
Learner examples
- The fish is a primitive animal.
- Primitive people lived many years ago.
- This plant is from a primitive time.
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.