English pronunciation · Words Starting with P
Primitive Pronunciation
Primitive is pronounced PRI-muh-tiv, IPA /ˈprɪmətɪv/.
PRI-muh-tiv
US /ˈprɪmətɪv/ · UK /ˈprɪmɪˌtɪv/
Syllables: PRI · muh · tiv (3 syllables, stress on syllable 1)
adjective and noun: Belonging to an early stage of development, or very basic in design.
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Primitive in a Sentence
- The hut was primitive but dry.
- Primitive fish appear in the fossil record before jaws do.
- Their first camera was primitive by any standard.
Common Mispronunciations of Primitive
Not PRY-muh-tiv
Prime carries a long i and primitive does not, even though one word is built on the other.
Not pri-MI-tiv
The beat belongs on the opening PRI, and the two beats behind it are equally light.
Tip: Three beats, PRI-muh-tiv, and the ive ending is a quick tiv with no long i in it.
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