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.

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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.

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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

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primer ² British  

/ ˈpraɪmə /

noun

1. an introductory text, such as a school textbook

2. printing See long primer great primer

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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

Here, a primer on three trends—plus an easy “boy kibble” recipe.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 14, 2026

Pero tras la gran acogida del primer periodo de venta, muchas de las entradas de menor precio ya se han agotado.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 24, 2026

In an investment primer over the summer, BofA Securities analysts dubbed the advent of quantum computing “the next fire moment,” or the biggest and most consequential technological development in hundreds of thousands of years.

From Barron's • Mar. 6, 2026

His 2024 book, “Iran,” is the best primer available on the nation’s modern history.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 6, 2026

She handed the girl the parcel containing Brigid’s old primer and Oliver Twist.

From "Lyddie" by Katherine Paterson