prehistoric

Meanings

1. 1adjectivenot comparable

   Relating to the time before people started writing down history.

   Grammar: Not usually compared; something is either prehistoric or not.

   Patterns

   • prehistoric times
   • prehistoric animals

   Prehistoric cave paintings were discovered in the south of France.

   The museum has a collection of prehistoric tools.

   Dinosaurs lived in prehistoric times.

2. 2adjectivecomparablehumorous

   Extremely old-fashioned or outdated, often humorously.

   Grammar: Can be compared: more prehistoric, most prehistoric, for emphasis.

   Patterns

   • prehistoric technology
   • prehistoric attitudes

   My phone is prehistoric compared to the latest models.

   He still uses a prehistoric computer at work.

   Their ideas about education seem prehistoric.

Common combinations

prehistoric times

In prehistoric times, people lived in caves.

prehistoric animals

Prehistoric animals like mammoths are extinct.

prehistoric art

Prehistoric art often shows hunting scenes.

prehistoric site

The prehistoric site is protected by law.

Synonyms and how they differ

ancient

Refers to the distant past but can include times with written records; 'prehistoric' is strictly before writing.

primitive

Can mean simple or early, but often implies less advanced; 'prehistoric' is neutral and time-based.

Opposites

Word family

prehistory noun

The period before written history.

prehistorian noun

A person who studies prehistory.

Commonly confused: prehistoric or historic? prehistoric or historical?

Practice

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