adj
prim
prihm
adj
1
Stiffly formal, neat, and overly proper in manner or appearance.
"She sat with prim posture, hands folded in her lap."
"His prim little office had everything arranged with obsessive precision."
verb
1
To arrange one's expression or appearance to look prim.
"She primmed her mouth in disapproval."
How to Use Prim
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishVery neat, formal, and proper — often to the point of seeming stiff or a bit uptight.
Common mistake
Often paired with "proper" in the set phrase "prim and proper," describing someone who is very correct and reserved in manners.
Common pairings
prim and proper
prim posture
a prim little smile
Word Forms
primmer comparative, primmed past tense, prims plural, prims singular, primmest superlative
Study it as flashcards or scroll it in Flow — saved to your collection.
Test yourself on “prim”
A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage
→
Fill the Gap
Can you complete this real example?
She sat with _____ posture, hands folded in her lap.
Etymology
Of uncertain origin, first appearing in English around 1700; possibly related to primp and prink.