primal
Americanadjective
-
first; original; primeval.
primal eras before the appearance of life on earth.
-
of first importance; fundamental.
the primal resources of a nation.
adjective
-
first or original
-
chief or most important
Other Word Forms
- nonprimal adjective
Etymology
Origin of primal
From the Medieval Latin word prīmālis, dating back to 1535–45. See prime, -al 1
Explanation
The adjective primal describes something that's essential or basic, like the primal urge to protect yourself and your family from harm. The Latin root of primal is primus, which means first. If your friend talks about his primal self, he means the most basic, important part of who he is. You can think of this as a first priority, just as the primal urges of all animals is survival. Primal can also describe something that's original, or at its earliest stage, like a primal or primeval forest, the most ancient example of that kind of terrain.
Vocabulary lists containing primal
The Lightning Thief
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Vocabulary from the Introduction to "Reality is Broken" by Jane McGonigal
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
"Democracy in America, Vol. 1" by Alexis de Tocqueville, Introduction–Chapter 5
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Verstappen would like F1 to change the rules, but that is because he has a fundamental, almost primal, objection to what they have done to the cars.
From BBC • Mar. 31, 2026
It’s a simple but primal character motivation that Beetz sells with a wild-eyed ferocity.
From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 26, 2026
His evocative depictions of forest scenes are stunning in their own right, hypnotically expressive and made to tickle your id, unearthing deeply rooted primal sensations.
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 20, 2026
As societies emerged, we began to develop egos, those brittle parts of our selves taxed with negotiating between our primal urges and the constraints of a civilized order.
From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 3, 2026
Adina’s crying activated something deep and primal within Mary Lou.
From "Beauty Queens" by Libba Bray
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.
