primeval

adjective

pri·​me·​val prī-ˈmē-vəl 

1

: of or relating to the earliest ages (as of the world or human history) : ancient, primitive

100 acres of primeval forest which has never felt an ax

—Mary R. Zimmer

2

: primordial sense 1b

primevally

prī-ˈmē-və-lē 

adverb

Did you know?

First things first. "Primeval" comes from the Latin words primus, meaning "first, and aevum, meaning "age." In Latin, those terms were brought together to form "primaevus," a word that means "of or relating to the earliest ages." Other English words that descend from "primus" include "prime" and "primary," "primordial" (a synonym of "primeval"), and "primitive." "Primus" also gave rise to some terms for folks who are number one in charge, including "prince" and "principal."

Synonyms

• ancient
• early
• primal
• primitive
• primordial

Examples of primeval in a Sentence

primeval forests slowly disappearing as the climate changed

Recent Examples on the Web

Guests are encouraged to join excursions, both by boat to see the island’s beaches and coves, and by land to explore that primeval rain forest. —Ann Abel, Forbes, 29 Nov. 2024

Agnieszka Holland’s Green Border opens on a wide shot of an endless stretch of trees — the densely forested, almost primeval zone marking the boundary between Belarus and Poland where much of the film will take place. —Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 21 June 2024

This enormous park, which sits mostly in Wyoming’s northwestern corner with slices in Idaho and Montana, offers plenty of conventional lodging choices, but there’s no better way to experience this primeval place than by camping. —Elisabeth Kwak-Hefferan, Condé Nast Traveler, 8 Feb. 2023

Minervini is interested in the primeval aspects of American history — not the cultural force that John Huston captured in his adaptation of Stephen Crane’s Red Badge of Courage. —Armond White, National Review, 2 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

primeve, in same sense, or its source, Late Latin prīmaevus "earliest, original, principal" (going back to Latin, "young, youthful," from prīmus "first, foremost, earliest" + -aevus, adjective derivative of aevum "age, lifetime") + -al entry 1 — more at prime entry 1, aye entry 3

First Known Use

1653, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Podcast

Get Word of the Day delivered to your inbox!

Kids Definition

primeval

adjective

pri·​me·​val prī-ˈmē-vəl 

: belonging to the earliest time : primitive

primevally

-və-lē 

adverb

Etymology

from Latin primaevus "relating to the very earliest ages," from primus "first" and aevum "age" — related to prime