elemental

1 of 2

adjective

el·​e·​men·​tal ˌe-lə-ˈmen-tᵊl How to pronounce elemental (audio)
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
elementally adverb

elemental

2 of 2

noun

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
2
: 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
These 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

Examples 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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun

1877, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of elemental was in the 15th century

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Cite this Entry

“Elemental.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/elemental. Accessed 25 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

elemental

adjective
el·​e·​men·​tal ˌel-ə-ˈment-ᵊl How to pronounce elemental (audio)
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
elementally adverb

Medical Definition

elemental

adjective
el·​e·​men·​tal ˌel-ə-ˈment-ᵊl How to pronounce elemental (audio)
: of, relating to, or being an element
specifically : existing as an uncombined chemical element

More from Merriam-Webster on elemental

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