elementary

adjective

el·​e·​men·​ta·​ry ˌe-lə-ˈmen-tə-rē 

-ˈmen-trē

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 sense 1a

3

: elemental sense 2

elementarily

ˌe-lə-ˌmen-ˈter-ə-lē 

-ˈmen-trə-lē

adverb

elementariness

ˌe-lə-ˈmen-tə-rē-nəs 

-ˈmen-trē-

noun

Synonyms of elementary

• basic
• rudimentary
• introductory
• fundamental

Examples of elementary in a Sentence

He is lacking even the most elementary notions of fairness.

The researchers made an elementary error.

He has an elementary understanding of calculus.

Recent Examples on the Web

Given a candidate for universal operations, this program systematically explores all possibilities to express the 36 elementary functions, numbers and important constants. — Manon Bischoff, Scientific American, 3 Nov. 2026

Meaningfully reducing property tax bills for Illinois homeowners and businesses would require the state to take on a much larger share of the cost of elementary and secondary education, likely through the income tax or sales taxes. — Dan Petrella, Chicago Tribune, 30 Oct. 2026

Young Storytellers recruits volunteers from the entertainment industry and others with writing experience to work with students in elementary, middle school and high school. — Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 29 Oct. 2026

For instance, in 1970 the mathematician John Conway introduced the Game of Life, where an elementary set of rules governing the movement of pixels on a screen leads to remarkably rich ecosystems. — Noah Giansiracusa, Time, 26 Oct. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing elementary

• elementary charge
• elementary particle
• elementary school

Rhymes for elementary

• complementary
• entry
• gentry
• sentry

Kids Definition

elementary

adjective

el·​e·​men·​ta·​ry ˌel-ə-ˈment-ə-rē 

-ˈmen-trē

1

: of or relating to the simplest principles of a subject

2

: of, relating to, or teaching the basic subjects of education