prehistoric

Sometimes pre·his·tor·i·cal

[pree-hi-stawr-ik, -stor-, pree-i-]

adjective

1. of or relating to the time or a period prior to recorded history.

   The dinosaur is a prehistoric beast.

2. Slang.,  outdated; passé.

   My mom has these prehistoric ideas about proper dress.

prehistoric

/ ˌpriːhɪˈstɒrɪk /

adjective

1. of or relating to man's development before the appearance of the written word

Other Word Forms

• prehistorically adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of prehistoric¹

First recorded in 1850–55; pre- + historic

Example Sentences

“We’ll try to keep guys fresh throughout the game. I think the days of one running back taking every rep are going the way of prehistoric creatures.”

From Los Angeles Times

The prehistoric lakebed is located about 100 miles west of Salt Lake City, and saw its first motorised race in 1914.

From BBC

After all, how can a movie about a shark — or more sharks, possibly of some mutant or prehistoric variety, depending on the film — terrorizing people not be fun, right?

From Salon

The film uses a fable-like framing story about two prehistoric cave dwellers who may very well be the first married couple.

From Los Angeles Times

BBC News has come to Pipestone Creek to witness the sheer scale of this prehistoric graveyard and see how researchers are piecing together the clues.

From BBC

Related Words

• ancient 
• archaic 
• primeval 
• primitive 
• primordial