prim Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. verb assume a prim appearance
    • They mince and prim
  2. verb contract one's lips
    • She primmed her lips after every bite of food
  3. verb dress primly
    prim out; prim up.
  4. adjective satellite affectedly dainty or refined
    twee; niminy-piminy; mincing; dainty.
  5. adjective satellite exaggeratedly proper
    puritanical; prissy; square-toed; straight-laced; straitlaced; strait-laced; tight-laced; victorian; prudish; straightlaced; priggish.
    • my straitlaced Aunt Anna doesn't approve of my miniskirts

WordNet

Prim noun
Etymology
See Privet.
Definitions
  1. (Bot) The privet.
Prim adjective
Etymology
OF. prim, prin, prime, first, principal. sharp, thin, piercing, fr. L. primus first. See Prime, a.
Definitions
  1. Formal; precise; affectedly neat or nice; as, prim regularity; a prim person. Swift.
Prim transitive verb
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Primmed ; present participle & verbal noun Primming
Definitions
  1. To deck with great nicety; to arrange with affected preciseness; to prink.
Prim intransitive verb
Definitions
  1. To dress or act smartly. R.

Webster 1913