primal scream
Americannoun
Etymology
Origin of primal scream
An Americanism dating back to 1970–75
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.
But its reliance on stark emotion wasn’t far from the free jazz being made at the time by Archie Shepp or Albert Ayler—or from Lennon’s own primal scream, “Mother,” which certainly shows Ms. Ono’s influence.
From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 13, 2025
There was no primal scream, no exaggerated fist pump, and very little outward emotion from the Dodgers’ newest pitcher.
From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 4, 2024
So do highly publicized acts of kindness – like, say, a sweet fictional three-and-a-half-year-old responding to a nationwide primal scream by reminding people he hears and loves them.
From Salon • Feb. 9, 2024
When Rodriguez finished, his last blast supplanting Guerrero, he let out a primal scream, flexed and received the plaudits of his AL brethren.
From Seattle Times • Jul. 10, 2023
“The night before the big show, we go have primal scream to get all the nerves out.”
From "Sparrow" by Sarah Moon
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.
