prim

1 of 3

adjective

primmer; primmest
1
a
: stiffly formal and proper : decorous
b
2
: neat, trim
prim hedges
primly adverb
primness noun

prim

2 of 3

verb

primmed; primming

transitive verb

1
: to give a prim or demure expression to
primming her thin lips after every mouthfulJohn Buchan
2
: to dress primly

prim

3 of 3

abbreviation

Examples of prim in a Sentence

Adjective He has prim views on religion. Her aunts were very prim and proper.
Recent Examples on the Web
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Adjective
Take the core pieces of prim school attire—a crisp button-down, pleated skirt, and overcoat—and give them fashion flare by reimagining the color palette with a pop of pink. Talia Abbas, Vogue, 27 Mar. 2025 And the four women — sensible Billie, prim Helen, brash Mary Alice and madcap Natalie — may be next on the hitlist. Chris Hewitt, Boston Herald, 23 Mar. 2025 Their outfits speak to the juxtaposition of prim and proper styling alongside deconstructed looks on the pavement outside of presentations. Robyn Mowatt, Essence, 25 Feb. 2025 There were enveloping officer’s overcoats, high-gloss leather jackets, prim gowns affixed with fur accents and stark black suits. Jacob Gallagher, New York Times, 26 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for prim

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

derivative of or akin to prim entry 2

Verb

earlier as intransitive verb, "to assume a formal or demure air," of obscure origin

Note: First attested in the comedies of Thomas d'urfey, as Fool's Preferment (1688) and The Marriage-Hater Match'd (1692). Akin in sense to primp, attested earlier, though the verb as well as the adjective primp "(of the mouth) pursed, primly set" are nearly exclusive to Scots and American English.

First Known Use

Adjective

1702, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

1707, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of prim was in 1702

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Prim.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/prim. Accessed 31 Mar. 2025.

Kids Definition

prim

adjective
ˈprim
primmer; primmest
: very fussy about one's appearance and behavior
primly adverb
primness noun

More from Merriam-Webster on prim

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