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.

The Pasadena community was on high alert Friday after a mountain lion was spotted lounging near an elementary and middle school and a packed graduation ceremony, officials said.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 6, 2026

In elementary school, I was rambunctious and outgoing.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 2, 2026

By fall 2025, 1 of 12 entering students was placed into remedial math to learn material taught in elementary and middle school.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 1, 2026

And Mario Thompson, an elementary school principal who has been intimately involved in all his daughters’ careers, is having to negotiate all this on the fly.

From Los Angeles Times • May 30, 2026

There were hardly any other Black students at my elementary school, and besides, I had Isabella and Julia.

From "A Good Kind of Trouble" by Lisa Moore Ramée

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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