Definitions

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.

Basically, I was one of the few children with sight in that elementary school.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 4, 2026

The National Transportation Safety Board opened an ongoing investigation into Waymo after a robotaxi struck a child in Santa Monica, Calif., near an elementary school.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 30, 2026

They demand proof before they are willing to accept elementary facts, much less claims about novel breakthroughs, and many of them have been skeptical about AI revolutionizing their industry.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 30, 2026

There is one more sibling but it’s a boy in elementary school.

From Los Angeles Times • May 29, 2026

It was like my elementary music teacher, banging on a handheld wood block with a little mallet.

From "The Line Tender" by Kate Allen

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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