You use primordial to describe things that belong to a very early time in the history of the world.
[formal]
Twenty million years ago, Idaho was populated by dense primordial forest.
...the original primordial explosion.
Synonyms: primeval, primitive, first, earliest More Synonyms of primordial
More Synonyms of primordial
primordial in British English
(praɪˈmɔːdɪəl)
adjective
1.
existing at or from the beginning; earliest; primeval
2.
constituting an origin; fundamental
3. biology
of or relating to an early stage of development
primordial germ cells
noun
4.
an elementary or basic principle
Derived forms
primordiality (priˌmordiˈality)
noun
primordially (priˈmordially)
adverb
Word origin
C14: from Late Latin prīmōrdiālis original, from Latin prīmus first + ōrdīrī to begin
primordial in American English
(praɪˈmɔrdiəl)
adjective
1.
first in time; existing at or from the beginning; primitive; primeval
2.
not derivative; fundamental; original
3. Biology
earliest formed in the development of an organism, organ, structure, etc.; primitive
Derived forms
primordially (priˈmordially)
adverb
Word origin
ME < LL primordialis < L primordium, the beginning < primus, first (see prime) + ordiri, to begin (see order)
Examples of 'primordial' in a sentence
primordial
The trouble is that persistent inflation is up against a much stronger primordial force.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
For the full fruit flavour you need to be willing to engage with the primordial forces of darkness.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
Here was the fabled primordial soup, on a desk top.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
But it's the trauma projected within those walls that gives this staging its almost primordial force.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
Sadly, her own son is dying of Pick of the day tank full of primordial soup.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
Tonight is the season finale, but for anyone anxious to continue his or her interaction with the primordial forces of darkness another season is on its way.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
1 (adjective)
Definition
existing at or from the beginning
Twenty million years ago this was dense primordial forest.
Synonyms
primeval
a vast expanse of primeval swamp
primitive
primitive birds from the dinosaur era
first
Neil Armstrong was the first person to walk on the moon.
the first few flakes of snow
earliest
the earliest confirmed case of swine flu
pristine
primal
Yeats's remarks about folklore and the primal religion
prehistoric
prehistoric cave painting
2 (adjective)
primordial particles generated by the Big Bang
Synonyms
fundamental
the fundamental principles of democracy
original
The Dayaks were the original inhabitants of Borneo.
basic
Access to justice is a basic right.
radical
the radical differences between them
elemental
the elemental powers of the universe
Additional synonyms
in the sense of basic
Definition
of or forming a base or basis
Access to justice is a basic right.
Synonyms
fundamental,
main,
key,
essential,
primary,
vital,
principal,
constitutional,
cardinal,
inherent,
elementary,
indispensable,
innate,
intrinsic,
elemental,
immanent
in the sense of earliest
the earliest confirmed case of swine flu
Synonyms
first,
opening,
original,
initial
in the sense of elemental
Definition
of or like basic and powerful natural forces or passions
the elemental powers of the universe
Synonyms
primal,
original,
primitive,
primordial
Nearby words of
primordial
prime minister
primeval
primitive
primordial
primp
prince
princely
Synonyms of 'primordial'
primordial
Explore 'primordial' in the dictionary
Additional synonyms
in the sense of first
Definition
earliest in time or order
Neil Armstrong was the first person to walk on the moon.the first few flakes of snow
Synonyms
earliest,
initial,
opening,
introductory,
original,
maiden,
primitive,
primordial,
primeval,
pristine
in the sense of original
Definition
first or earliest
The Dayaks were the original inhabitants of Borneo.
Synonyms
first,
earliest,
early,
initial,
aboriginal,
primitive,
pristine,
primordial,
primeval,
autochthonous
in the sense of prehistoric
Definition
of man's development before the appearance of the written word
prehistoric cave painting
Synonyms
earliest,
early,
primitive,
primordial,
primeval
in the sense of primal
Definition
of basic causes or origins
Yeats's remarks about folklore and the primal religion
Synonyms
earliest,
prime,
original,
primary,
first,
initial,
primitive,
pristine,
primordial
in the sense of primitive
Definition
of or belonging to the beginning
primitive birds from the dinosaur era
Synonyms
early,
first,
earliest,
original,
primary,
elementary,
pristine,
primordial,
primeval
in the sense of pristine
Definition
of or involving the original, unchanged, and unspoilt period or state