Meaning & use
primitive
Belonging to an early stage of development, especially simple, basic, or lacking modern technology.
See it in a sentence
The explorers survived using only primitive tools they crafted from stone and wood.
Early computers seem incredibly primitive compared to today's smartphones.
A note on using this word
When describing peoples or cultures, "primitive" can sound outdated or offensive today; historians and anthropologists now prefer more neutral terms.
Words with a similar meaning
basicrudimentary
Choose a synonym to suit the sentence. Meanings can overlap without being identical.
Words with an opposite meaning
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “primitive”, then compare your use with the examples above.
Your draft stays on this page and is not sent anywhere.