prim
1formally precise or proper, as persons or behavior; stiffly neat.
(especially of a woman or girl) excessively demure or modest.
to draw up the mouth in an affectedly nice or precise way.
to make prim, as in appearance.
to draw (one's face, lips, etc.) into a prim expression.
Origin of prim
1Other words for prim
Opposites for prim
Other words from prim
- prim·ly, adverb
- prim·ness, noun
Words Nearby prim
Other definitions for prim (2 of 3)
Origin of prim
2Other definitions for prim. (3 of 3)
primary.
primitive.
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use prim in a sentence
Each aimed to reform my behavior and return me to my classmates as a prim and proper student.
Traditional school isn’t always the way to go, and I wish my parents had seen that earlier | Kenneth R. Rosen | February 5, 2021 | Washington PostLike the prim society debutantes at its center, Bridgerton, Netflix’s new, sumptuous historical romance series produced by Shonda Rhimes, has proven to be as controversial as it is popular.
Glenda, who is 68 and has lived at Bronxwood for over seven years, wears square transition lenses and tucks her gray hair into a prim, low bun.
“We Don’t Even Know Who Is Dead or Alive”: Trapped Inside an Assisted Living Facility During the Pandemic | by Ava Kofman | November 30, 2020 | ProPublicaGoldblum, himself looking prim with a porcelain saucer and teacup in hand, says he found this “wildly touching.”
Jeff Goldblum Says Justin Bieber Should Play Him in ‘Jurassic Park’ Reboot | Melissa Leon | March 8, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTThe dresses she has worn at the Convention have both been from Talbot's, the discount yet stil prim-and-proper chain store.
Janna Ryan's Discount Style: Two Talbots Dresses at The Republican National Convention | Isabel Wilkinson | August 31, 2012 | THE DAILY BEAST
When her 12-year-old sister, prim, is selected to compete in the Hunger Games, Katniss volunteers to go instead.
In her mug shot, she looks so prim in her shawl-collared coat, with its horizontal weave, buttoned up high and proper.
Sometimes his leather jackets were sporty and rakish, at others they were sculpted into prim, hourglass shapes.
The music pealed with wonderful sweetness; you could see the prim white heads of the nuns in their gallery.
Little Travels and Roadside Sketches | William Makepeace ThackerayIn so doing—it was like going suddenly into cold water—I found myself face to face with a prim, little old maid.
English: Composition and Literature | W. F. (William Franklin) WebsterHer mother's cousin stood in the doorway—a prim little old spinster, who had been their guest for several days.
Mildred's Inheritance | Annie Fellows JohnstonShortly after getting clear of Point prim, the vessel shipped a sea which broke open the gangways.
History of Prince Edward Island | Duncan CampbellThat would be to make it formal, prim—anything but graceful.
Amateur Gardencraft | Eben E. Rexford
British Dictionary definitions for prim
/ (prɪm) /
affectedly proper, precise, or formal
(tr) to make prim
to purse (the mouth) primly or (of the mouth) to be so pursed
Origin of prim
1Derived forms of prim
- primly, adverb
- primness, noun
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Browse