prim

¹

[ prim ]

adjective

, prim·mer, prim·mest.

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

   Synonyms: rigid, formal, prissy

   Antonyms: flexible

2. (especially of a woman or girl) excessively demure or modest.

verb (used without object)

, primmed, prim·ming.

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

verb (used with object)

, primmed, prim·ming.

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

prim

²

[ prim ]

noun

1. privet ( def ).

prim.

³

abbreviation for

1. primary.
2. primitive.

prim

/ prɪm /

adjective

1. affectedly proper, precise, or formal

verb

1. tr to make prim
2. to purse (the mouth) primly or (of the mouth) to be so pursed

Derived Forms

• ˈprimly, adverb
• ˈprimness, noun

Other Words From

• prim·ly adverb
• prim·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of prim¹

First recorded in 1675–85; origin uncertain

Origin of prim²

First recorded in 1565–75; shortening of earlier primprint privet < ?

Word History and Origins

Origin of prim¹

C18: of unknown origin

Example Sentences

Before each performance, the scene is set by a narrator who speaks in a prim, puritanical accent reminiscent of a bygone era.

From Los Angeles Times

Despite the emphasis on Queenie’s sexual exploits and exploitation, the show is often prim: A car horn bleeps out a naughty word, and even the sex scenes are clothed and rather chaste.

From New York Times

Shady revelled in outraging prim white suburbia, crudely proclaiming unspoken truths.

From BBC

Not only are viewers watching boldface names eat, they’re also watching them eat foods that are considered distasteful — which goes against the prim and proper image that celebrities are expected to uphold.

From Salon

It is also, at the risk of sounding prim, worth noting how unusual it is for the Treasury to be teasing quite so much around tax cuts just before a big statement like this.

From BBC

Related Words

• demure