elementary

[el-uh-men-tuh-ree, -tree] / ˌɛl əˈmɛn tə ri, -tri /

ADJECTIVE

simple, basic

Synonyms

STRONGEST

elemental fundamental rudimentary straightforward underlying

WEAK

ABCs abecedarian basal beginning child's play clear duck soup easy essential facile foundational initial introductory meat and potatoes original plain prefatory preliminary primary primitive primo simplest simplex simplified substratal uncomplex uncomplicated

Antonyms

STRONGEST

additional advanced extra secondary

WEAK

abstruse complex complicated compound difficult hard intricate involved

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Physicists have traditionally sorted all elementary particles in our three-dimensional universe into two categories: bosons and fermions.

From Science Daily • May 9, 2026

As an advocate for the local library told me, by the next day, all the children at the local elementary school had heard about Gamble.

From Slate • May 4, 2026

A onetime elementary school teacher in Watts, Gordon entered law school after seeing how violence impacted her students.

From Los Angeles Times • May 1, 2026

Stress increases cortisol levels, which in turn drives cravings for quick, energy-dense foods — carbs, sugar, the kinds of things that dominate elementary school diets.

From Salon • Apr. 25, 2026

But not even the most elementary provision had been made for sanitation and the air in the car was such that few could eat.

From "The Hiding Place" by Corrie ten Boom

Vocabulary lists containing elementary

Animal Farm

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Essential English Vocabulary, List 1

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'Tis A Gift To Be Simple: Words For National Simplicity Day

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