# prehistoric

/ˌpɹihɪˈstɔɹɪk/ (US) · /pɹˌiːhɪstˈɒɹɪk/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/prehistoric
Updated: 2026-08-08

## Senses

### 1. before written history

adjective · CEFR B1

relating to the time thousands of years ago before humans began to write down their history.

For teachers: 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.

### 2. very old or outdated

adjective · CEFR B2 · Informal · Humorous

very old-fashioned or out of date, often in a way that seems funny or annoying.

For teachers: 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.

## Examples

- The museum has a large collection of prehistoric tools.
- Archaeologists discovered prehistoric cave paintings that show how early humans hunted large animals.
- The discovery of prehistoric remains in the melting glacier provided scientists with unprecedented data regarding the diet and health of humans living thousands of years ago.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.