noun
Neanderthal
nee-AN-duh-tahl
noun
1
A member of an extinct species of early human closely related to modern humans.
"Scientists found Neanderthal remains in a cave in France."
2
Informal and often insulting: a crude, primitive, or old-fashioned person.
"Don't be such a neanderthal about it — times have changed."
adj
1
Old-fashioned, crude, or resistant to change.
"His neanderthal attitudes toward women shocked his colleagues."
How to Use Neanderthal
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEither the extinct early human species, or (informally, often as an insult) someone seen as primitive or backward in their attitudes.
When to use it
The insulting usage is informal and can come across as harsh or dismissive.
Word Forms
Neanderthals plural
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Etymology
Named after the Neander Valley in Germany, where the first fossils were discovered in 1856. The valley itself was named for 17th-century hymn writer Joachim Neander.