Meaning & Definition of word "Primitive"

Primitive

/ˈprɪmɪtɪv/

1. A person belonging to an early stage of civilization.
- Example: He enjoyed reading about the lifestyles of primitives from ancient history.
2. An artist or work of art that reflects a naive or unsophisticated style.
- Example: Her paintings are often classified as primitives due to their childlike simplicity.

1. Relating to the earliest stages of development; resembling an early stage in the evolutionary development of humans or their ancestors.
- Example: The primitive tools discovered in the cave provide insight into the lives of early humans.
2. Basic, simple, and unsophisticated; lacking in complexity.
- Example: The artist's primitive style uses bold colors and simple shapes.
3. Of or relating to a culture that is not advanced or developed.
- Example: The anthropologist studied the customs of a primitive tribe in the Amazon rainforest.
4. Existing in a basic, unrefined, or undeveloped state.
- Example: The primitive conditions in the village surprised the visiting tourists.

Derived from Latin 'primitivus', meaning 'first' or 'original'.

primitive instincts:

Innate behaviors that are basic and unlearned.

primitive art:

Artwork created by non-industrial cultures, often characterized by simplicity and lack of formal training.

primitive society:

A society that has not reached a high level of technological development.

primitiveness:

The quality of being primitive or basic.

primitivism:

An artistic movement that seeks to emulate the style or simplicity of primitive art.

prehistoric:

Relating to the period before written records.

Meaning: Old-fashioned or out of date in style.

Example Sentence: His taste in music is so primitive; he only listens to bands from the '70s.

Meaning: Basic or simple-minded in behavior.

Example Sentence: Don't be so primitive; try to think more critically about the issue.