Synonyms for primal
- adjective
Most common
Synonyms by meaning
Adjective
1. Primeval — being the first in time or in history
primeval, primordial, primitive, aboriginal, first, prime, early, pristine
2. Fundamental
Other
Definitions
- adj. 1
Being the first in time or in history.
- adj. 2
Of greatest importance; primary.
Choose the right word
Primal is chiefly poetic, in the sense of prime; as, the primal curse.
J. C. Fernald, English Synonyms and Antonyms (1914)
Example sentences
- primitive Magic plays an important part in primitive society.
- primordial We lay together and enjoyed the primordial delight.
- primeval Prehistoric man lived in the primeval forest.
- key I left a duplicate key to the room with my mother.
- fundamental To keep early hours is fundamental to good health.
Popularity over time
| Word | 1850 → 2019 | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| primal | rising | |
| primitive | falling | |
| primordial | rising | |
| primeval | steady | |
| key | rising | |
| fundamental | steady |
Use in printed books, per decade from 1850 to 2019.
By length
- 3 letters
- key1
- 5 letters
- first1, early2, prime1
- 6 letters
- simple2
- 7 letters
- central2, primary3
- 8 letters
- cardinal3, pristine2, primeval3
- 9 letters
- primitive3
- 10 letters
- aboriginal5, primordial4
- 11 letters
- fundamental4
The small number after each word is its number of syllables (early2 = 2 syllables).