prim

1 of 3

adjective

ˈprim 

primmer; primmest

1

a

: stiffly formal and proper : decorous

b

: prudish

2

: neat, trim

prim hedges

primly adverb

primness noun

prim

2 of 3

verb

primmed; primming

transitive verb

1

: to give a prim or demure expression to

primming her thin lips after every mouthful

—John Buchan

2

: to dress primly

prim

3 of 3

abbreviation

1

primary

2

primitive

Synonyms

Adjective

• antiseptic
• bandbox
• crisp
• groomed
• kempt
• neat
• orderly
• picked up
• shipshape
• smug
• snug
• tidied
• tidy
• trig
• trim
• uncluttered
• well-groomed

Examples of prim in a Sentence

Adjective

He has prim views on religion.

Her aunts were very prim and proper.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

One sketch, vetoed by the network, had Tomlin playing a prim mother, Mrs. Beasley, calling her son in from the back yard, which was actually a war zone, ablaze with exploding mortar shells. —Susan Morrison, The New Yorker, 13 Jan. 2025

Last year may have given us Brat Summer, but things are moving in a decidedly prim direction for 2025. —Elle Turner, Glamour, 10 Jan. 2025

Robin Hardy Before there was Nicholas Cage in a bear suit, there was Edward Woodward as a prim Christian detective investigating a pagan colony run by Christopher Lee on a remote Scottish island. —Alison Willmore, Vulture, 8 Jan. 2025

Instead of prim shirt dresses and caped gowns, Meghan’s luggage contained relaxed skirts from the affordable Aussie brand Posse, billowing backless maxi dresses, and aviator shades. —Kerry McDermott, Vogue, 20 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

derivative of or akin to prim entry 2

Verb

earlier as intransitive verb, "to assume a formal or demure air," of obscure origin

Note: First attested in the comedies of Thomas d'urfey, as Fool's Preferment (1688) and The Marriage-Hater Match'd (1692). Akin in sense to primp, attested earlier, though the verb as well as the adjective primp "(of the mouth) pursed, primly set" are nearly exclusive to Scots and American English.

First Known Use

Adjective

1702, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

1707, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

prim

adjective

ˈprim

primmer; primmest

: very fussy about one's appearance and behavior

primly adverb

primness noun