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

While decorations still appear in many shopping malls, from around 2022, many nursery and elementary schools started to declare they would no longer celebrate Christmas or other Western holidays.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 5, 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

“I also bring extensive site leadership experience as a principal at the elementary, middle and high school levels, where I improved student outcomes.”

From Los Angeles Times • May 1, 2026

Archimedes studied three elementary tools that could be used to move weights: the lever, the pulley and the screw.

From "The Invention of Science" by David Wootton

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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