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caveman

/ˌkeɪvˈmæn/
/ˈkeɪvmæn/
IPA guide

Other forms: cavemen

In books or movies, a caveman is a character based on early prehistoric humans. Cavemen live in caves and hunt with simple weapons like rocks and clubs. You can also use caveman to refer to any crude and uncivilized guy — like your older brother who tries to impress dates with his belching skills.

"The Flintstones" is a perfect example of a cartoon caveman stereotype—the characters live with dinosaurs and wear animal hides as clothing. In reality, the early humans who lived in caves and left behind Paleolithic cave paintings existed at a completely different time than dinosaurs. And scholars believe that most humans during this period lived in simple tents or other temporary structures.

Definitions of caveman
  1. noun
    someone who lives in a cave
    see moresee less
    type of:
    primitive, primitive person
    a person who belongs to an early stage of civilization
Pronunciation
US
/ˌkeɪvˈmæn/
UK
/ˈkeɪvmæn/
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