prim

¹

[ prim ]

adjective

, prim·mer, prim·mest.

1. formally precise or proper, as persons or behavior; stiffly neat.

   Synonyms: rigid, formal, prissy

   Antonyms: flexible

2. (especially of a woman or girl) excessively demure or modest.

verb (used without object)

, primmed, prim·ming.

1. to draw up the mouth in an affectedly nice or precise way.

verb (used with object)

, primmed, prim·ming.

1. to make prim, as in appearance.
2. to draw (one's face, lips, etc.) into a prim expression.

prim

²

[ prim ]

noun

1. privet ( def ).

prim.

³

abbreviation for

1. primary.
2. primitive.

prim

/ prɪm /

adjective

1. affectedly proper, precise, or formal

verb

1. tr to make prim
2. to purse (the mouth) primly or (of the mouth) to be so pursed

Derived Forms

• ˈprimly, adverb
• ˈprimness, noun

Other Words From

• prim·ly adverb
• prim·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of prim¹

First recorded in 1675–85; origin uncertain

Origin of prim²

First recorded in 1565–75; shortening of earlier primprint privet < ?

Word History and Origins

Origin of prim¹

C18: of unknown origin

Example Sentences

Each aimed to reform my behavior and return me to my classmates as a prim and proper student.

From Washington Post

Like 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.

From Vox

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.

From ProPublica

Goldblum, himself looking prim with a porcelain saucer and teacup in hand, says he found this “wildly touching.”

From The Daily Beast

The dresses she has worn at the Convention have both been from Talbot's, the discount yet stil prim-and-proper chain store.

From The Daily Beast

When her 12-year-old sister, Prim, is selected to compete in the Hunger Games, Katniss volunteers to go instead.

From The Daily Beast

In her mug shot, she looks so prim in her shawl-collared coat, with its horizontal weave, buttoned up high and proper.

From The Daily Beast

Sometimes his leather jackets were sporty and rakish, at others they were sculpted into prim, hourglass shapes.

From The Daily Beast

The music pealed with wonderful sweetness; you could see the prim white heads of the nuns in their gallery.

From Project Gutenberg

In so doing—it was like going suddenly into cold water—I found myself face to face with a prim, little old maid.

From Project Gutenberg

Her mother's cousin stood in the doorway—a prim little old spinster, who had been their guest for several days.

From Project Gutenberg

Shortly after getting clear of Point Prim, the vessel shipped a sea which broke open the gangways.

From Project Gutenberg

That would be to make it formal, prim—anything but graceful.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• demure