to make prim, as in appearance.
to draw (one's face, lips, etc.) into a prim expression.
primary.
primitive.
(tr) to make prim
to purse (the mouth) primly or (of the mouth) to be so pursed
First recorded in 1675–85; origin uncertain
First recorded in 1565–75; shortening of earlier primprint privet < ?
Prim means polite, straight-laced, even twee. Many characters in Jane Austen novels are prim and proper. Prim describes someone who is so concerned with being proper it becomes almost fake. If you go to the beach on spring break wearing a Victorian bathing costume, you're being prim. Clothes can be prim, too, like that long wool swimsuit. If you're feeling crazy, you can use prim as a verb meaning, "to purse your mouth into a prim expression" — like how you prim your lips when you look down your nose at someone using the wrong fork.
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Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The passengers on the same helicopter as Tree included a Brazilian music producer, Argentine video director and Argentine YouTuber Gaspar Prim, known online as Gaspi.
From Barron's • Jun. 14, 2026
Long-term residents of the Prim Building, a 1920s architectural gem located in La Juárez district, they were visited by officials clutching eviction papers.
From BBC • Aug. 29, 2025
"The unbelievable success of it so far will also likely fortify Trump’s interest in the industry since he personally benefits," Alexander Blume, the CEO of Two Prim Digital Assets, told The Block.
From Salon • Feb. 5, 2025
Mena said, addressing Fernandez and his neighbor, Thiery Prim, sitting with The Seattle Times on a recent visit.
From Seattle Times • Feb. 24, 2024
I look for my mother and Prim, but it’s impossible to see anyone but those immediately around me.
From "Mockingjay" by Suzanne Collins
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
