prim

Verb · Adjective
US[prim]/prɪm/1 syllable
Synonyms: prim upprim outmincingniminy-piminytweepriggishprissyprudishpuritanicalsquare-toedstraitlacedstrait-laced

Open English WordNet

Verb (3)primmed, primming, primed, priming

  1. assume a prim appearance“They mince and prim”More general change
  2. contract one's lips“She primmed her lips after every bite of food”More general compress, constrict
  3. dress primlySynonyms: prim upprim outMore general dress, clothe

Adjective (2)primmer, primmest

  1. affectedly dainty or refinedSynonyms: mincingniminy-piminytweeOpposite unrefinedSimilar refined
  2. exaggeratedly proper“my straitlaced Aunt Anna doesn't approve of my miniskirts”Synonyms: priggishprissyprudishpuritanicalsquare-toedstraitlacedstrait-lacedstraightlacedstraight-lacedtight-lacedvictorianOpposite improperSimilar proper

Related words prudishness noun, primness noun

Word of the day · Oct 11About this word
expediteverb

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Webster's Dictionary (1913)

Prim noun

Origin: See Privet.

Botany The privet.

Prim adjective

Origin: OF. prim, prin, prime, first, principal. sharp, thin, piercing, fr. L. primus first. See Prime, adjective

Formal; precise; affectedly neat or nice; as, prim regularity; a prim person. Jonathan Swift

Prim transitive verb [past tense & past participle Primmed; present participle & verbal noun Primming.]

To deck with great nicety; to arrange with affected preciseness; to prink.

Prim intransitive verb

To dress or act smartly. rare

Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913), from GCIDE 0.54

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