primer

S2 W2

BrE /ˈpraɪmə/ AmE /ˈpraɪmər/

noun / adjective en → es

1 PRODUCT [singular] B2

a substance used for painting or decorating, especially before applying paint to make it look better and stick better

base, imprimación

Collocations primer coat · apply primer

  • You should apply a good quality primer before painting.

    Deberías aplicar una buena imprimación antes de pintar.

2 FIRST [singular] A1

the first of something, especially the first in a series or set of things

primer, primero

Collocations first in line · first place

  • She was the first person to arrive.

    Ella fue la primera persona en llegar.

3 STUDENT [singular] B1

a student in their first year at a school, college, or university

estudiante de primer año

Collocations first-year student · freshman

  • He is a first-year medical student.

    Él es un estudiante de primer año en medicina.

4 EXPLOSION [singular] C1

a small explosive device used to set off a larger one, especially in mining or construction work

carga de detonación, dinamita pequeña

Collocations blasting cap · detonation charge

  • The workers used a primer to set off the dynamite.

    Los trabajadores usaron una carga de detonación para activar la dinamita.

5 READING [singular] B2

a book or other reading material for beginners, especially in a foreign language

libro de texto inicial, libro para principiantes

Collocations beginner's book · textbook

  • She bought a primer on French grammar.

    Ella compró un libro de texto inicial sobre gramática francesa.

6 INTRODUCTORY [singular] C1

an introductory statement or explanation, especially at the beginning of a book or article

introducción, preámbulo

Collocations introductory note · opening statement

  • The primer explains the main ideas of the book.

    El preámbulo explica las principales ideas del libro.

7 CHEMISTRY [singular] C1

a substance that starts a chemical reaction, especially one used to make another substance react more easily or quickly

agente catalítico, iniciador químico

Collocations catalyst · initiator

  • The primer speeds up the chemical reaction.

    El iniciador químico acelera la reacción química.

8 MILITARY [singular] C1

a small explosive device used to set off a larger one, especially in military operations

carga de detonación militar, cartucho de percusión

Collocations military charge · explosive device

  • The primer was used to detonate the bomb.

    La carga de detonación militar se usó para activar la bomba.