primal

adjective

pri·​mal ˈprī-məl 

1

: original, primitive

village life continued in its primal innocence

—Van Wyck Brooks

2

: first in importance : primary

Synonyms

• arch
• big
• capital
• cardinal
• central
• chief
• dominant
• first
• foremost
• grand
• great
• greatest
• highest
• key
• leading
• main
• master
• number one
• No. 1
• numero uno
• overbearing
• overmastering
• overriding
• paramount
• predominant
• preeminent
• premier
• primary
• principal
• prior
• sovereign
• sovran
• supreme

Examples of primal in a Sentence

the primal theme of the essay is toleration of religious diversity

there was a period of primal idealism after the founding of the republic and before the rise of partisan politics

Recent Examples on the Web

The truth is, sure—the odd primal scream or rage run probably isn’t gonna hurt ya. —Carolyn L. Todd, SELF, 21 Mar. 2025

Gaga ended the song with a primal scream, her eyes wide and unblinking. —Rachel Syme, The New Yorker, 12 Mar. 2025

Of course, most of the characters in The White Lotus are too fixated on primal desires — getting drunk, getting laid, checking emails from work — to even notice the paradise. —Daniel Fienberg, The Hollywood Reporter, 11 Feb. 2025

This seems rather an understatement to your correspondent., for the style, substance, silhouettes and scintillation of Anaïs C. jewels embody an earthly yet mystical mix of sustainably sourced, precious gemstones inside of primal jewelry forms. —Kyle Roderick, Forbes, 8 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

probably from prime entry 1 + -al entry 1

First Known Use

1604, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing primal

• primal scream therapy

Rhymes for primal

• thymol
• ependymal
• mesenchymal
• lachrymal
• lacrimal

Kids Definition

primal

adjective

pri·​mal ˈprī-məl 

1

: of or relating to the first period or state : primitive

2

: first in importance : basic