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.

It was only around the fourth or fifth grade of elementary school that I finally realized, “Wait, maybe we’re a soy sauce shop.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 15, 2026

"He had not taken... an elementary precaution of strapping the crane boom down separately."

From BBC • Apr. 14, 2026

He was an exceptional athlete back in elementary school.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 13, 2026

Childcare supervision services are offered for children between the ages of 6 and 17; some accept early education and elementary school age students.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 11, 2026

So, instead of turning right on Brazos, I just kept going until I hit our old elementary school.

From "Summer of the Mariposas" by Guadalupe García McCall

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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