WordGarden.iocaveman
C2Pronunciation
UK
- /kˈeɪvmən/
US
- /ˈkeɪvˌmæn/
Meanings
Noun
a prehistoric human imagined as living in a cave
an insulting term for a crude, brutish, or sexist man
Adjective
primitive, crude, or extremely old-fashioned
Beyond the definition
The term "caveman" conjures images of rugged individuals clad in animal skins, living in caves and hunting for survival—a popular depiction of early humans! While not entirely accurate (not all early humans lived in caves!), "caveman" generally refers to prehistoric people who lived during the Stone Age. It's often used playfully or as a stereotype to describe someone perceived as unsophisticated, brutish, or behind the times.
Think of it like this: if someone jokingly calls their friend a "caveman" for struggling with technology, they're implying that friend isn't very modern or technologically savvy. The term has also seeped into pop culture, inspiring characters in cartoons and movies—often exaggerated for comedic effect. It's important to remember, though, these were real people adapting to a challenging world!
"Caveman" is a popular, albeit somewhat misleading, term used to describe early humans who lived during the Paleolithic era (the Old Stone Age), from roughly 2.5 million years ago until around 10,000 BCE. While many did seek shelter in caves—offering protection from the elements and predators—they weren't exclusively cave dwellers! They also built shelters using materials like wood, animal hides, and bones.
The term gained prominence in the 19th and 20th centuries with the rise of evolutionary theory and popular depictions of prehistoric life. It became a shorthand for a perceived stage of human development characterized by simple tools (made from stone), hunting and gathering lifestyles, and limited technology.
However, it's crucial to understand that "caveman" is not a scientific term used by anthropologists or archaeologists. They prefer more precise classifications like Homo habilis, Homo erectus, and Homo sapiens to refer to different species and stages of human evolution.
Today, "caveman" is often used colloquially—sometimes humorously, sometimes pejoratively. You might hear someone say, "My dad's a bit of a caveman when it comes to fixing things; he just wants to hit it with a hammer!" or, "Don't be such a caveman!", meaning don't act so uncivilized. It can also refer to outdated beliefs or behaviors, implying a lack of sophistication.
So while the image of the "caveman" is deeply ingrained in our culture, remember that it's a simplification of a complex and fascinating period of human history—and often used more as a cultural stereotype than an accurate historical label.
Examples
- 1
Prehistoric person
In the film, a young caveman learns how to make fire.
- 2
Insult
When he said women shouldn't be in charge, his sister called him a caveman.
- Patterncall someone a caveman
say they are rude and very old-fashioned, especially about women
- 3
Sexist attitude
She was tired of his caveman attitude toward women.
- Phrasecaveman attitude
a sexist, old-fashioned way of thinking
See also
Similar
- prehistoric human
- cave dweller
Shades of meaning
- troglodyte
- Neanderthal
Contrast
- modern human
Used with (collocations)
- caveman drawings
- caveman diet
Word family
- cavemen
- cavewoman
Explore
- Stone Age
- paleoanthropology
Forms and spellings
2 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- cavemannoun
Forms
- cavemenpluralnoun