primitive
/ˈprɪmətɪv/
adjective
- Relating to an early stage of development, especially of human society or technology; simple and not advanced.
- The tribe used primitive tools made of stone and wood.
- Early humans lived in primitive shelters like caves and huts.
- The hospital had only primitive equipment, so patients were sent to the city.
- Very basic, simple, or old-fashioned in design or function.
- The cabin had a primitive kitchen with just a wood stove and a sink.
- They cooked over a primitive campfire, using sticks to hold the food.
- His computer is so primitive it can't run modern software.
- Relating to an early or original form of something, before later changes or developments.
- The primitive version of the game had only one level.
- The artist was inspired by primitive cave paintings from thousands of years ago.
- This species is a primitive ancestor of modern birds.
Antonyms
noun
- An artist or artwork that is simple, untrained, or from an early period, especially from before the Renaissance or from non-Western cultures.
- The gallery displayed a primitive by an unknown painter from the 1700s.
- She collects folk art and primitives from rural villages.
- The museum has a collection of American primitives from the 19th century.
- A person from a society that is considered less technologically advanced (often considered outdated or offensive).
- Using the word 'primitive' to describe a group of people is disrespectful today.
- The explorers described the natives as primitives, but that view is now seen as biased.
- In old adventure stories, the hero often fights against primitives.