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primy

primy

9.9
Too formal and neat in a way that feels cold
  • adjective
  • Archaic
translation icon : excesivamente formal
  • The teacher's primy manner intimidated some of the younger students.

Examples

  • He wore a primy suit that looked out of place at the beach party.

  • His primy behavior made everyone uncomfortable during the casual dinner.

  • Her primy attitude made her seem distant at the informal gathering.

  • Don't be so primy at the party!

  • She looked quite primy in her new dress.

  • She adopted a primy stance, wearing a formal dress to the laid-back barbecue.

  • The primy decorations in her office gave it an overly formal atmosphere.

Synonyms

formal
vsprimy
  • Formal
394 3.0

Official and proper in a way suitable for important occasions

is more about excessive neatness and correctness rather than suitability for official events
dignified
vsprimy
71 4.6

Calm and serious in a way that shows self respect and gets respect from others

is more about excessive neatness and fussiness than calm respectable bearing
genteel
vsprimy
14 7.7

Polite and elegant in a way that tries to impress others

is more about rigid correct appearance and neatness than refined showiness
prissy
vsprimy
  • Informal
13 7.9

Too fussy about being neat and proper

is broader, stressing general excessive formality rather than only cleanliness
prim and proper
vsprimy
3 7.0

Very formal and correct in clothes and manners, often strict and stiff

is more about excessive neatness and fussiness rather than plain formality
priss
vsprimy
  • Offensive
9.9

Too careful about being proper and easily shocked

is more about strict neatness and formal appearance than moral shock

Antonyms

155 2.0

Untidy and done without care

98 3.1

Not formal or official, relaxed and casual

How Formal

primy
  • Archaic
9.9
formal
  • Formal
394 3.0
proper
596 2.2
neat
144 1.0
casual
81 1.3

Surface Forms

primy positive

Morphology

primy = prim (transparent) = prim + y

The word 'primy' is transparently derived from 'prim' with the suffix '-y' to form an adjective meaning excessively proper.

Etymology

Primy comes from the same idea as prim, which means very neat or proper, like the phrase 'prim and proper'. A helpful way to remember it is to think of someone who always wants things 'first' and tidy, so primy means overly formal or distant.