primitivism

UK: /ˈprɪmɪtɪˌvɪzəm/ US: (prim′i ti viz′əm)

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

prim•i•tiv•ism  (prim′i ti viz′əm), n. 

1. a recurrent theory or belief, as in philosophy or art, that the qualities of primitive or chronologically early cultures are superior to those of contemporary civilization.
2. the state of being primitive:
   the primitivism of the Stone Age peoples.
3. the qualities or style characterizing primitive art.

• primitive + -ism 1860–65

prim′i•tiv•ist, n. 
prim′i•tiv•is′tic, adj. 

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

primitivism / ˈprɪmɪtɪˌvɪzəm/ noun

1. the condition of being primitive
2. the notion that the value of primitive cultures is superior to that of the modern world

ˈprimitivist noun , adjective