primitivism

American  

[prim-i-ti-viz-uhm] / ˈprɪm ɪ tɪˌvɪz əm /

noun

1. a recurrent theory or belief, as in philosophy or art, that the qualities of primitive or chronologically early cultures are superior to those of contemporary civilization.

2. the state of being primitive.

   the primitivism of the Stone Age peoples.

3. the qualities or style characterizing primitive art.

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primitivism British  

/ ˈprɪmɪtɪˌvɪzəm /

noun

1. the condition of being primitive

2. the notion that the value of primitive cultures is superior to that of the modern world

3. the principles, characteristics, etc, of primitive art and artists

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primitivism Cultural  

1. A style of art that attempts to imitate the art of primitive cultures or of children.

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Other Word Forms

• primitivist noun
• primitivistic adjective
• unprimitivistic adjective

Etymology

Origin of primitivism

First recorded in 1860–65; primitive + -ism

Example Sentences

It is hard to know whether to call this ethical primitivism a philosophic school, but Ms. Kuin is sure that we should.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 17, 2025

His 1963 book, "The Messianic Character of American Education," argued that the "government school" represented "primitivism" and "chaos."

From Salon • Dec. 19, 2021

But it’s also pulling from this dark primitivism.

From Slate • May 30, 2018

Can looked back to psychedelia and forward to punk primitivism and the steadiness of dance music; it also picked up elements of world music while maintaining a certain Germanic rigor.

From New York Times • Sep. 15, 2017

Ten d'outi prosephe nephelegereta Zeus —whereafter at seven lines down we get again: Ten de meg' ochthesas prosephe nephelegereta Zeus; —in all of which I think we do get something of primitivism and unskill.

From The Crest-Wave of Evolution A Course of Lectures in History, Given to the Graduates' Class in the Raja-Yoga College, Point Loma, in the College-Year 1918-19 by Morris, Kenneth