Word
prehistoric
Phoneticspre·his·toric
US/ˌpɹihɪˈstɔɹɪk/
UK/pɹˌiːhɪstˈɒɹɪk/
Definitions
01before written history
B1 · Intermediate Science
adj. relating to the time thousands of years ago before humans began to write down their history.
adj. relating to or denoting the period before written records existed. Usually non-gradable in its scientific sense.
“Archaeologists found prehistoric tools made of stone and bone in the deep cave.”
“The museum's new wing features an extensive collection of prehistoric artifacts, providing insight into human life before the advent of written language.”
02very old or outdated
B2 · Upper Intermediate Informal · Humorous
adj. very old-fashioned or out of date, often in a way that seems funny or annoying.
adj. extremely old-fashioned, antiquated, or obsolete. Often used with hyperbolic or humorous intent.
“My grandfather still uses a prehistoric mobile phone that can only send texts.”
“The office was still relying on a prehistoric filing system that made retrieving simple client data an unnecessarily arduous task.”
Synonyms
Antonyms
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “prehistoric” in context.
Etymology
From pre- (“before”) + historic, q.v., similar to slightly earlier ante-historic.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B1 PreliminaryIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.4.0–5.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 3.0–3.544–71TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.550–784
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B1 · Intermediate
- Updated
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englishreference.com/q/prehistoric