elementary

el·e·men·ta·ry

adjective \ˌe-lə-ˈmen-tə-rē, -ˈmen-trē\

: basic and simple : involving the simplest parts of a subject

: of or relating to elementary school

Full Definition of ELEMENTARY

1

a :  of, relating to, or dealing with the simplest elements or principles of something

b :  of or relating to an elementary school

2

:  elemental 1a, b

3

:  elemental 2

— el·e·men·ta·ri·ly \-ˌmen-ˈter-ə-lē, -ˈmen-trə-lē\ adverb

— el·e·men·ta·ri·ness \-ˈmen-tə-rē-nəs, -ˈmen-trē-\ noun

Examples of ELEMENTARY

1. He is lacking even the most elementary notions of fairness.
2. The researchers made an elementary error.
3. He has an elementary understanding of calculus.

First Known Use of ELEMENTARY

14th century

Related to ELEMENTARY

Synonyms

abecedarian, basal, basic, beginning, elemental, essential, fundamental, introductory, meat-and-potatoes, rudimental, rudimentary, underlying

Antonyms

advanced

Related Words

primal, primary, prime, simple; crude, primeval, primitive, primordial, rude, uncomplicated; preliminary, preparatory; crucial, important, key

Near Antonyms

complex, sophisticated; complicated, convoluted, detailed, elaborate, extensive, intricate; developed, evolved, high, higher, refined

Other Education Terms

baccalaureate, colloquium, corequisite, dissertation, monograph, pedant, practicum, survey course, thesis

Rhymes with ELEMENTARY

complementary, documentary, double entry, mockumentary, rudimentary, sedimentary, single entry, supplementary, testamentary