prehistoric
gb/pɹˌihɪstˈɔɹɪk/ us/pɹˌihɪstˈɔɹɪk/
B2
Inglés
Acepciones
0 acepciones
adjective
B2
property
1
before written history
from a time before people wrote history down
Patrón de uso:
prehistoric [period/time/people/site/art]
Error frecuente:
Don’t use it to mean simply “very old”; it specifically contrasts with recorded history unless used figuratively.
Sinónimos
preliterate (More technical; emphasizes absence of writing.)
|
ancient (Broader and less precise; can include recorded history.)
Antónimos
historic (From the period with written records.)
|
modern (From the present or recent times.)
Colocaciones
prehistoric times
|prehistoric era
|prehistoric period
|prehistoric history
|prehistoric settlement
|prehistoric site
|prehistoric art
|prehistoric Britain
|prehistoric Europe
|prehistoric archaeology
Temas
history
|time
|education
Ejemplos
- The cave paintings are thought to date back to prehistoric times.
- Archaeologists uncovered a prehistoric burial site near the river.
- The museum has a gallery devoted to prehistoric Europe.
Ejemplos para estudiantes
- Dinosaurs lived in prehistoric times.
- They found prehistoric tools in the field.
adjective
B2
property
2
of prehistoric life and creatures
connected to very early humans, animals, or plants from before written history
Patrón de uso:
prehistoric [animal/creature/plant/human/remains/fossil]
Error frecuente:
“Prehistoric” doesn’t mean “not real”; it refers to a real period before written records.
Sinónimos
primeval (More literary; suggests the earliest ages of the world.)
Antónimos
contemporary (Belonging to the present time.)
Colocaciones
prehistoric animals
|prehistoric creatures
|prehistoric humans
|prehistoric man
|prehistoric plants
|prehistoric fossils
|prehistoric remains
|prehistoric bones
|prehistoric reptiles
|prehistoric landscape
Temas
nature
|animals
|science
|history
Ejemplos
- The documentary shows what prehistoric animals might have looked like.
- They displayed prehistoric fossils discovered along the coast.
- A new exhibit explores prehistoric humans and their tools.
Ejemplos para estudiantes
- The book is about prehistoric animals.
- We saw prehistoric fossils in the museum.
adjective
informal
C1
property
3
very old-fashioned or outdated
very old and not modern
Patrón de uso:
prehistoric [technology/attitudes/methods/rules]
Error frecuente:
In this figurative sense it is an exaggeration; it doesn’t literally mean before written history.
Sinónimos
outdated (Neutral and common; less exaggerated.)
|
old-fashioned (Often about style or attitudes rather than technology.)
Antónimos
up-to-date (Modern and current.)
|
cutting-edge (Extremely modern and advanced.)
Colocaciones
prehistoric technology
|prehistoric computer
|prehistoric system
|prehistoric methods
|prehistoric attitudes
|prehistoric rules
|prehistoric equipment
|prehistoric policy
|prehistoric software
|prehistoric approach
Temas
daily_life
|technology
|opinions
Ejemplos
- Their booking system is prehistoric compared with other airlines.
- He has some pretty prehistoric ideas about gender roles.
- We’re still using a prehistoric printer that breaks every week.
Ejemplos para estudiantes
- This phone feels prehistoric now.
- Their rules are prehistoric.
Gramática
Forma de diccionario
prehistoric
AFI
GB/pɹˌihɪstˈɔɹɪk/
US/pɹˌihɪstˈɔɹɪk/
Sílabas y acento
pre - his - tor - ic (4 sílabas)
Stress on 3rd syllable (tor)
Formas de la palabra
Adjective
- Base: prehistoric
Familia de palabras
Core family
Related words
historian
noun B1
historically
adverb B1
Advanced or less common
ahistorical
adjective
prehistorian
noun
Expresiones
prehistoric creature
1/pɹˌihɪstˈɔɹɪk kɹˈit͡ʃɚ/
fixed phrase
animal from prehistoric times
an animal that lived long ago and is now extinct
Ejemplos
- The children were fascinated by the model of a prehistoric creature.
- Fossil hunters hope to find evidence of a prehistoric creature in the cliffs.
prehistoric era
1/pɹˌihɪstˈɔɹɪk ˈɛɹə/
fixed phrase
prehistoric period of time
a very long time ago, before written history
Ejemplos
- The film is set in the prehistoric era, long before cities existed.
- Scientists study the prehistoric era through fossils and tools.
prehistoric man
1/pɹˌihɪstˈɔɹɪk mˈæn/
fixed phrase
early humans before history
humans who lived very long ago, before written history
Ejemplos
- The exhibit shows how prehistoric man may have made fire.
- Many cartoons show prehistoric man living alongside dinosaurs, but that isn’t accurate.
prehistoric times
1/pɹˌihɪstˈɔɹɪk tˈaɪmz/
fixed phrase
time before written records
the time long ago, before people wrote history
Ejemplos
- In prehistoric times, people made tools from stone and bone.
- Many of these traditions began in prehistoric times.