Primitive (Adjective)
Meaning 1
Of or created by one without formal training; simple or naive in style; "primitive art such as that by Grandma Moses is often colorful and striking".
Classification
All adjective clusters.
Examples
- The artist's primitive style was characterized by bold brushstrokes and vivid colors.
- Her primitive sculptures were made from natural materials like wood and stone.
- The primitive paintings of Henri Rousseau are highly regarded for their charm and simplicity.
- The museum's collection of primitive art from around the world was a highlight of the exhibition.
- The artist's primitive technique was evident in the rough, unfinished quality of her work.
Synonyms
Meaning 2
Belonging to an early stage of technical development; characterized by simplicity and (often) crudeness; "the crude weapons and rude agricultural implements of early man"; "primitive movies of the 1890s"; "primitive living conditions in the Appalachian mountains".
Classification
All adjective clusters.
Examples
- The early inhabitants of the region used primitive tools to construct their shelters.
- Their art collection included some primitive works by local artists that were valued for their simplicity.
- Life in the remote village was marked by primitive living conditions with limited access to basic amenities.
- Primitive farming practices were largely responsible for the low crop yields in the area.
- The team of archaeologists spent years excavating the site, uncovering remnants of primitive buildings and artifacts.
Synonyms
Related Words
Meaning 3
Little evolved from or characteristic of an earlier ancestral type; "archaic forms of life"; "primitive mammals"; "the okapi is a short-necked primitive cousin of the giraffe".
Classification
All adjective clusters.
Examples
- The early humans used primitive tools made of stone and wood to hunt and gather food.
- The fossils of primitive fish were found in the ancient rock formations near the river.
- The museum exhibit featured a collection of primitive pottery from the ancient civilization.
- The okapi is a short-necked primitive cousin of the giraffe, with a distinctive coat pattern.
- The anthropologist studied the primitive language of the tribe, trying to understand its origins and evolution.
Synonyms
Related Words
Meaning 4
Used of preliterate or tribal or nonindustrial societies; "primitive societies".
Classification
All adjective clusters.
Examples
- The tribe's primitive tools were made from stones and branches they found in the forest.
- The anthropologist studied the primitive rituals of the indigenous people in the Amazon rainforest.
- The village's primitive way of life was disrupted by the arrival of modern technology.
- The primitive artwork of the ancient civilization was characterized by simple yet expressive symbols.
- The primitive conditions of the rural community made it difficult for outsiders to adapt.