prim
1 of 3verb
ˈprim 
primmed; primming
transitive verb
1
: to give a prim or demure expression to
primming her thin lips after every mouthful
John Buchan
John Buchan2
: to dress primly
prim
2 of 3adjective
primmer; primmest
1
a
: stiffly formal and proper : decorous
b
: prudish
2
: neat, trim
prim hedges
primly adverb
primness noun
prim
3 of 3abbreviation
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
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
Adjective He has prim views on religion. Her aunts were very prim and proper.
Recent Examples on the Web Lilah Ramzi, Vogue, 6 Apr. 2022 Her best friend is Alicent Hightower (Emily Carey), daughter of Otto Hightower (Rhys Ifans), Hand of the King, who is prim and proper in all the ways Rhaenyra is flippant and free-spirited. Randall Colburn, EW.com, 22 Aug. 2022 Carson is prim and proper, while Max, a Black woman, feels trapped. Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 12 Aug. 2022 Silver Bob Actress and singer Hyeri's iteration of gray hair is in the form of a silver bob that's prim and polished. Wendy Sy, Allure, 28 July 2022 Still others highlighted Felicity Merriman, a feisty tomboy from colonial Virginia, and Samantha Parkington, a prim and proper Victorian girl. Meilan Solly, Smithsonian Magazine, 15 July 2022 Mae is a Canadian comedian living in present-day Manchester, UK, and George is a more prim, proper, middle-class woman. Katherine Singh, refinery29.com, 27 June 2022 This hassle-free staple is designed to keep you looking prim and polished no matter the distance. Karla Pope, Woman's Day, 24 May 2022 Wearing a prim white dress and black cardigan and with her hair pulled back in a bun, Heard addressed the jury for more than six hours, relaying a series of disturbing anecdotes that allegedly took place from 2014 to 2016. Tatiana Siegel, Rolling Stone, 5 May 2022 See More
Adjective
Accessorize with a baroque pearl bracelet from Missoma, some patent leather Roger Vivier flats, and a prim black top-handle bag from Amina Muaddi. Lilah Ramzi, Vogue, 6 Apr. 2022 Her best friend is Alicent Hightower (Emily Carey), daughter of Otto Hightower (Rhys Ifans), Hand of the King, who is prim and proper in all the ways Rhaenyra is flippant and free-spirited. Randall Colburn, EW.com, 22 Aug. 2022 Carson is prim and proper, while Max, a Black woman, feels trapped. Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 12 Aug. 2022 Silver Bob Actress and singer Hyeri's iteration of gray hair is in the form of a silver bob that's prim and polished. Wendy Sy, Allure, 28 July 2022 Still others highlighted Felicity Merriman, a feisty tomboy from colonial Virginia, and Samantha Parkington, a prim and proper Victorian girl. Meilan Solly, Smithsonian Magazine, 15 July 2022 Mae is a Canadian comedian living in present-day Manchester, UK, and George is a more prim, proper, middle-class woman. Katherine Singh, refinery29.com, 27 June 2022 This hassle-free staple is designed to keep you looking prim and polished no matter the distance. Karla Pope, Woman's Day, 24 May 2022 Wearing a prim white dress and black cardigan and with her hair pulled back in a bun, Heard addressed the jury for more than six hours, relaying a series of disturbing anecdotes that allegedly took place from 2014 to 2016. Tatiana Siegel, Rolling Stone, 5 May 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
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.
Adjective
derivative of or akin to prim entry 1
First Known Use
Verb
1707, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Adjective
1702, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Kids Definition
prim
adjective
ˈprim
primmer; primmest
: very formal and proper
prim
adjective
1
as in tidy
being clean and in good order behind the bed-and-breakfast is a prim little garden where guests are served afternoon tea Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- tidy
- tidied
- neat
- trim
- orderly
- kempt
- shipshape
- snug
- antiseptic
- smug
- groomed
- crisp
- well-groomed
- saucy
- dapper
- uncluttered
- spiffy
- immaculate
- bandbox
- natty
- trig
- picked up
- organized
- sleek
- taut
- spruce
- rakish
- spotless
- streamlined
- smart
- spic-and-span
- systematic
- spick-and-span
- straight
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- slovenly
- shabby
- messy
- unkempt
- disheveled
- untidy
- disorderly
- disordered
- scruffy
- dishevelled
- sloppy
- dirty
- seedy
- filthy
- slipshod
- mussy
- sloven
- sordid
- squalid
- nasty
- mussed
- foul
- rumpled
- dowdy
- frowzy
- frowsy
- disorganized
- unsystematic
- tousled
- tumbled
2
as in puritanical
given to or marked by very conservative standards regarding personal behavior or morals a very prim and proper matron was in charge of the girls' dorm Synonyms & Similar Words
- puritanical
- Victorian
- proper
- prudish
- straitlaced
- moral
- straightlaced
- refined
- priggish
- decent
- staid
- honest
- nice-nelly
- stuffy
- upright
- genteel
- bluenosed
- virtuous
- righteous
- right
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- permissive
- improper
- loose
- lax
- indecent
- wicked
- bad
- liberated
- lecherous
- immoral
- prurient
- sleazy
- lickerish
- slatternly
- trampy
- skanky
- slutty
- perverted
- depraved
- degenerate
- debauched
- sluttish
- degraded
