primary

adjective
UK: /ˈpraɪ.mə.ri/
US: /ˈpraɪ.meri/

  1. Most important; main

    1. My primary goal is to finish my work today. [ ] [ ]
    2. The primary reason for the project's delay was lack of funding. [ ] [ ]

  2. Relating to the education of children between the ages of about five and eleven

    1. She teaches at the primary school. [ ] [ ]
    2. The primary curriculum includes reading, writing, and mathematics. [ ] [ ]

  3. First or earliest in time or order

    1. His primary concern was his family's safety. [ ] [ ]
    2. The primary source of information was the original document from the archive. [ ] [ ]

Synonyms

main initial principal elementary chief basic key leading
primary noun

  1. A preliminary election where voters choose candidates

    1. He won the primary easily. [ ] [ ]
    2. She's running in the upcoming Democratic primary. [ ] [ ]

  2. Something that is most important or fundamental

    1. Education is a primary need for a better future. [ ] [ ]
    2. Clean water and sanitation are primaries for public health initiatives. [ ] [ ]

Frequently Asked Questions

The word "primary" in English means: Most important; main, Relating to the education of children between the ages of about five and eleven, First or earliest in time or order.

The phonetic transcription of "primary" is /ˈpraɪ.mə.ri/ in British English and /ˈpraɪ.meri/ in American English. Click the 🔊 button to hear both pronunciations.

Synonyms for "primary": main, initial, principal, elementary, chief, basic, key, leading.

Example usage of "primary": "My primary goal is to finish my work today.". More examples on the page.