primer

¹ American  

[prim-er, prahy-mer] / ˈprɪm ər, ˈpraɪ mər /

noun

1. an elementary book for teaching children to read.

2. any book of elementary principles.

   a primer of phonetics.

3. great primer.

4. long primer.

---

primer ² American  

[prahy-mer] / ˈpraɪ mər /

noun

1. a person or thing that primes.

2. a cap, cylinder, etc., containing a compound that may be exploded by percussion or other means, used for firing a charge of powder.

3. a first coat or layer of paint, size, etc., given to any surface as a base, sealer, or the like.

---

primer ¹ British  

/ ˈpraɪmə /

noun

1. a person or thing that primes

2. a device, such as a tube containing explosive, for detonating the main charge in a gun, mine, etc

3. a substance, such as paint, applied to a surface as a base, sealer, etc

---

primer ² British  

/ ˈpraɪmə /

noun

1. an introductory text, such as a school textbook

2. printing See long primer great primer

---

Etymology

Origin of primer¹

1350–1400; Middle English < Medieval Latin prīmārium, noun use of neuter of prīmārius primary

Origin of primer²

1490–1500; prime (v.) + -er ¹

Explanation

A primer gets you ready for what comes next. You could use one kind of primer when you are learning to read, or another kind when you are preparing to paint a room. Any way you use the word primer, it's a first step or preparation for something else. There's primer you use before painting, and an engine primer that prepares a machine to be started. In these examples, primer rhymes with timer. When primer describes an introductory textbook, it rhymes with dimmer. In the 14th century, a primer was a prayer book. This word comes from primus, the Latin word for first.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

primer

We mentioned Harp in a newsletter earlier this week, and my colleague Heather Schwedel wrote a primer for the uninitiated that was among Slate’s most-read articles this week.

From Slate ● Aug. 21, 2026

As the trial continues—Duane “Keffe D” Davis is accused of orchestrating Shakur’s murder, a charge he denies—here’s a primer on the beloved rapper’s discography.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 21, 2026

Use high-protection sunscreen - at least SPF 30 - as a base before the make-up and let it soak in like any primer, says Wedgeworth.

From BBC ● Jul. 30, 2026

Buffett was only applying a precept set down by his investment mentor, Benjamin Graham, in his classic primer “The Intelligent Investor.”

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 23, 2026

A page slipped out of her primer and she chased it onto the grass.

From "The Underground Railroad: A Novel" by Colson Whitehead