el·e·men·tal
ˌe-lə-ˈmen-tᵊl 
1
a
: of, relating to, or being an element
specifically
: existing as an uncombined chemical element
b(1)
: of, relating to, or being the basic or essential constituent of something : fundamental
elemental biological needs
(2)
: simple, uncomplicated
elemental food
c
: of, relating to, or dealing with the rudiments of something : elementary
taught elemental crafts to the children
d
: forming an integral part : inherent
an elemental sense of rhythm
2
: of, relating to, or resembling a great force of nature
the rains come with elemental violence
elemental passions
plural elementals
1
: a supernatural being : spirit
"It's a heritage. My mother was a witch and her mother was a witch. My specialty is (prophetic) dreaming. We believe elementals do exist," said Lady L …—
D. L. Stephenson
D. L. Stephenson2
: an elementary part or principle
—usually plural
All objects consist of smaller objects. … Lamps, bicycles, and houses are compound objects made of constituent parts, or elementals.—Alan L. Laity
Alan L. LaityThese two epistemologies exist in distinct dimensions: science struggles to discover the elementals of our material existence through empiricism, and theology strives to describe the universality of our … existence through faith.—Jack Hitt
Jack HittExamples of elemental in a Sentence
Adjective
an elemental difference between the two
Their elemental passion led to tragedy.
the elemental power of the storm
an elemental analysis of the solution
Recent Examples on the Web
Yola Robert, Forbes, 21 Jan. 2025
Not in performance, but in the quiet, intentional acts that reconnect us to our most elemental truth: we were made to move.
—Ximena Araya-Fischel, Forbes.com, 19 Apr. 2025
Lilah Ramzi, Vogue, 29 Apr. 2025
Barry breakout Anthony Carrigan, meanwhile, will appear as Metamorpho, a man who, after being exposed to a radioactive meteorite, learns to change himself into different elemental compounds.
—Randall Colburn, EW.com, 12 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for elemental
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Adjective
Notably, the fat loss persisted even after participants resumed their regular diets, indicating the potential for this elemental diet to promote lasting changes in body composition.
—Yola Robert, Forbes, 21 Jan. 2025
Not in performance, but in the quiet, intentional acts that reconnect us to our most elemental truth: we were made to move.
—Ximena Araya-Fischel, Forbes.com, 19 Apr. 2025
Noun
While the structures are built with steel and wood, they are rendered in finishes that balance elegance with strength—subtle metallics, warm and cool grays, and natural wood grain that feels both refined and elemental.
—Lilah Ramzi, Vogue, 29 Apr. 2025
Barry breakout Anthony Carrigan, meanwhile, will appear as Metamorpho, a man who, after being exposed to a radioactive meteorite, learns to change himself into different elemental compounds.
—Randall Colburn, EW.com, 12 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for elemental
Cite this Entry
“Elemental.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/elemental. Accessed 29 May. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
elemental
adjective
el·e·men·tal
ˌel-ə-ˈment-ᵊl
1
a
: of, relating to, or being an element
especially
: existing as an uncombined chemical element
2
: of, relating to, or resembling a force of nature
Medical Definition
elemental
adjective
el·e·men·tal
ˌel-ə-ˈment-ᵊl
: of, relating to, or being an element
specifically
: existing as an uncombined chemical element
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