primitive

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A primitive thing or place is one that hasn't changed much over time and often seems very old-fashioned.

When people say something or somewhere is primitive, they usually mean it's not modern or high-tech. For example, some villages in South America are still quite far from cities, so their roads might be dirt paths and not paved roads like we have at home. These places can feel a bit like how our grandparents lived - simple, quiet, and without many of the things we take for granted today, like electricity or running water. It's not always bad to visit primitive areas; in fact, some people love getting back to nature and living off the land. However, if you're used to city life, it can be a big change.

How common is "primitive"?

Word primitive is considered uncommon in modern English.
It has a balanced usage among all categories: speech, fiction, newspapers and academic texts.
Definitions

noun

  • (linguistics) An original or primary word; a word not derived from another, as opposed to derivative.

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Real examples of "primitive" in context

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