adj
primitive
PRIH-mih-tihv
adj
1
Belonging to an early stage of development; basic or unrefined.
"They lived in primitive conditions with no running water."
"The tool was primitive compared to modern equipment."
noun
1
(computing) A basic data type or simple building block from which more complex structures are made.
"Integers and booleans are examples of primitives in most programming languages."
How to Use Primitive
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishVery basic, early, or unrefined — or, in tech, a fundamental building-block type.
Common mistake
In everyday use, calling a person or culture "primitive" can sound dismissive; in computing and design, the word is neutral and just means "basic building block."
Common pairings
primitive tools
primitive conditions
data primitive
Word Forms
more primitive comparative, primitives plural, most primitive superlative
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Etymology
From Latin prīmitīvus, "first or earliest of its kind," from prīmus ("first").