primeval

or pri·mae·val

[prahy-mee-vuhl]

See more synonyms for primeval on Thesaurus.com

adjective

of or relating to the first age or ages, especially of the world: primeval forms of life.

Origin of primeval

1765–75; < Latin prīmaev(us) young (prīm(us) prime + aev(um) age + -us adj. suffix) + -al¹

Related formspri·me·val·ly, adverb

Can be confusedprimal primeval primordial

Synonyms for primeval

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primary, primordial, pristine. See prime.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Related Words for primeval

pristine, primal, primitive, primordial, prehistoric, earliest, early, first, old, original, primary

Examples from the Web for primeval

Contemporary Examples of primeval

The landscape here, like all of Iceland, has a primeval majesty.
Want to Write a Book? Go to Iceland
Adam LeBor
May 26, 2014
The longing for a product that we have not yet experienced strikes some primeval need, particularly in Americans.
‘A Lifetime of Experience’ May Hinder Hillary Clinton in 2016
Stuart Stevens
July 2, 2013

Historical Examples of primeval

In the heart of a primeval forest we could not feel more alone.
In the Heart of Vosges
Matilda Betham-Edwards
Or would the planet revert to a primeval state of mindless innocence?
The Most Sentimental Man
Evelyn E. Smith
Indeed, at that time the settlements had not reached into this then primeval wilderness.
Whittier-land
Samuel T. Pickard
For these giants of the primeval forest he ever had a loving admiration.
Whittier-land
Samuel T. Pickard
It brought Pedro in with an extraordinary, uncouth, primeval impetuosity.
Victory
Joseph Conrad

British Dictionary definitions for primeval

primeval

primaeval

adjective

of or belonging to the first age or ages, esp of the world

Derived Formsprimevally or primaevally, adverb

Word Origin for primeval

C17: from Latin prīmaevus youthful, from prīmus first + aevum age

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

Word Origin and History for primeval

adj.

also primaeval, 1650s, with -al (1) + Latin primaevus "early in life, youthful," from primus "first" (see prime (adj.)) + aevum "an age" (see eon).