prehistoric

adjective

pre·​his·​tor·​ic ˌprē-(h)i-ˈstȯr-ik 

-ˈstär-

variants or less commonly prehistorical

ˌprē-(h)i-ˈstȯr-i-kəl 

-ˈstär-

1

: of, relating to, or existing in times antedating written history

2

: of or relating to a language in a period of its development from which contemporary records of its sounds and forms have not been preserved

3

: regarded as being outdated or outmoded

prehistoric attitudes

prehistorically

ˌprē-(h)i-ˈstȯr-i-k(ə-)lē 

-ˈstär-

adverb

Synonyms

• antiquated
• archaic
• dated
• démodé
• demoded
• fossilized
• kaput
• kaputt
• medieval
• mediaeval
• moribund
• mossy
• moth-eaten
• neolithic
• Noachian
• obsolete
• out-of-date
• outdated
• outmoded
• outworn
• passé
• rusty
• Stone Age
• superannuated

Examples of prehistoric in a Sentence

His attitudes about women are downright prehistoric.

prehistoric notions about mental illness that have no place in today's world

Recent Examples on the Web

Researchers hope the discovery could unveil even more information about Southern California’s prehistoric ecology. —Margherita Bassi, Smithsonian Magazine, 18 Sep. 2024

The first such exercise in this prehistoric fish illustrated the number of subtle, but important shifts the coelacanths underwent over 400 million years or more. —Paul Smaglik, Discover Magazine, 13 Sep. 2024

But within a couple of days, the kids were playing like old friends, bonding over Pokémon and imagined battles between prehistoric species. —Lauren Matison, Travel + Leisure, 10 Aug. 2024

Also not far is Coco Beach (free entry), a tiny spot to watch the sun go down over the Baie des Anges — perhaps once a favorite of prehistoric residents too. —Chloé Braithwaite, New York Times, 25 July 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1832, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

prehistoric

adjective

pre·​his·​tor·​ic ˌprē-(h)is-ˈtȯr-ik 

-ˈtär-

: of, relating to, or existing in times before written history

prehistoric animals

prehistorically

-i-k(ə-)lē 

adverb