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.

"At elite sports schools, talented students were usually selected and trained from elementary or middle school."

From BBC • May 22, 2026

Cynthia Kuo, a 29-year-old elementary school teacher, said Trump was the "kind of person who just says whatever pops into his head."

From Barron's • May 22, 2026

Starting this year, Fresno elementary students returned their take‑home laptops, with computer access shifting to in class only.

From Los Angeles Times • May 20, 2026

As city revenues shrank, spending on elementary and middle schools alike dropped by more than 10%, though local military forces received millions of dollars in special funding.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 11, 2026

“Mama! We learned this in elementary school. The president signs bills into laws! The president!”

From "A Place at the Table" by Saadia Faruqi and Laura Shovan

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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