adjective

primary

/ˈpraɪmeri/ · say it: PRY·mer·ee

an election to choose a party's candidate

In From the Front Page

In more detail

1. (adjective) most important or main

2. (adjective) relating to education for children aged approximately 5-11 years

3. (noun) a primary election or primary school

Examples

1. The primary reason for the delay was bad weather.
2. She teaches at a primary school.
3. The candidates are competing in the primary next month.

How to use primary

As an adjective, primary emphasizes something as first in importance, order, or development. It is commonly used in educational contexts (primary school), healthcare (primary care physician), and academic research (primary sources). It is more formal than 'main' or 'chief' and less emphatic than 'principal' in most contexts.

Common phrases

primary concern
primary school
primary care
primary source
primary election
primary colours

Synonyms

main · principal · chief · fundamental · key

Opposites

secondary · minor · auxiliary

Word family

primarily (adverb) · primary (noun)

A common mistake

Learners sometimes confuse primary with 'primal', which means instinctive or relating to basic drives rather than most important.

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