primitive

adjective

/ˈprɪm.ɪ.tɪv/

/-t̬ɪv/

Definition

C1 relating to human society at a very early stage of development, with people living in a simple way without machines or a writing system: Primitive races colonized these islands 2,000 years ago. primitive man The spiny anteater is a mammal, although a very primitive one.Prehistory C1 disapproving describes living conditions that are basic, unpleasant, and uncomfortable: Early settlers had to cope with very primitive living conditions.Comfortable and uncomfortable

(Definition of primitive adjective from the Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary & Thesaurus © Cambridge University Press)