primitivism

American  

[prim-i-ti-viz-uhm] / ˈprɪm ɪ tɪˌvɪz əm /

noun

1. a recurrent theory or belief, as in philosophy or art, that the qualities of primitive or chronologically early cultures are superior to those of contemporary civilization.

2. the state of being primitive.

   the primitivism of the Stone Age peoples.

3. the qualities or style characterizing primitive art.

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primitivism British  

/ ˈprɪmɪtɪˌvɪzəm /

noun

1. the condition of being primitive

2. the notion that the value of primitive cultures is superior to that of the modern world

3. the principles, characteristics, etc, of primitive art and artists

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primitivism Cultural  

1. A style of art that attempts to imitate the art of primitive cultures or of children.

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Other Word Forms

• primitivist
  noun
• primitivistic
  adjective
• unprimitivistic
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of primitivism

First recorded in 1860–65; primitive + -ism

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

primitivism

It is hard to know whether to call this ethical primitivism a philosophic school, but Ms. Kuin is sure that we should.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Dec. 17, 2025

His 1963 book, "The Messianic Character of American Education," argued that the "government school" represented "primitivism" and "chaos."

From Salon ● Dec. 19, 2021

But it does have rock stars whose greatest fame comes from their alleged and much flaunted primitivism.

From Slate ● Aug. 27, 2019

They are aggressively alive with spirit while also raising issues regarding primitivism and essentialism that are much more suspect today than earlier.

From New York Times ● Apr. 10, 2019

A land of hills, of black forests and shining rivers; a land uncultivated but rich in promise, magnificent in its primitivism.

From The Avenger by E. Phillips (Edward Phillips) Oppenheim