primitive
adjective
being the first or earliest of the kind or in existence, especially in an early age of the world.
primitives
-
pluralof primitive.plural
The grammatical form denoting more than one person, place, thing, or idea.
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.
In our view, these are the computational primitives of the system.
From Science Daily ● Dec. 24, 2025
“You’ve got options. You’re only constrained by the primitives you’ve built and your imagination.”
From Seattle Times ● Apr. 11, 2024
These omissions feel particularly glaring in light of how Aly excoriates the scholars of the era for viewing the islanders as history-less primitives who simply “died out” after contact with the modern world.
From Washington Post ● Mar. 8, 2023
Two lazy primitives begin an epic journey through the ancient world after they are banished from their village.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 5, 2020
Now, I suppose you’re going to say, but, Mister Ibis, these people were primitives, they didn’t have radio controls and vitamin pills and jet airplanes.”
From "American Gods" by Neil Gaiman
