-prim-

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

prim¹ /prɪm/   adj., prim•mer, prim•mest. 

1. precise or proper in a very formal way;
   prissy:
   His mother was very prim and wouldn't allow him to use words like "damn'' or even "darn'' in her presence.
2. stiffly neat.

prim•ly, adv. 

: "No language like that in my house,'' she answered primly.

prim•ness, n. [uncountable]

-prim-, root. 

1. -prim- comes from Latin, where it has the meaning "first.'' This meaning is found in such words as: primacy, primal, primary, primate, prime, primeval, primitive, primordial, prince, principal, principle, unprincipled.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

prim¹  (prim), adj., prim•mer, prim•mest, v., primmed, prim•ming. 
adj. 

1. formally precise or proper, as persons or behavior;
   stiffly neat.

v.i. 

2. to draw up the mouth in an affectedly nice or precise way.

v.t. 

3. to make prim, as in appearance.
4. to draw (one's face, lips, etc.) into a prim expression.

• origin, originally uncertain 1675–85

prim′ly, adv. 
prim′ness, n. 
Synonyms

• 1. prissy, formal, rigid.

Antonyms

• 1. flexible.

prim²  (prim), n. 

1. Plant Biology privet (def. 1).

• ?
• shortening of earlier primprint privet 1565–75

prim., 

1. primary.
2. primitive.