elemental

adjective

ˌe-lə-ˈmen-tᵊl How to pronounce elemental (audio)
Definition of elementalnext
as in basic
of or relating to the simplest facts or theories of a subject even if you're not planning on becoming a scientist, you should have an elemental knowledge of chemistry

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Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of elemental Gradually, the notion of trading PowerPoint slides and Excel spreadsheets for something more elemental became intoxicating. — Peter Hahn, Fortune, 29 Sep. 2026 Electron microscopy and elemental analysis revealed that the iron-containing molecules were dispersed across the carbon at atomic and molecular scales rather than forming larger particles. — Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 29 Sep. 2026 Many pigments available to ancient Egyptian artists have elemental markers detectable by X-ray fluorescence imaging. — Jennifer Ouellette, ArsTechnica, 11 Sep. 2026 Devising constitutions, or fundamental laws, is so elemental to human society that the collective noun might be a constitution of humans. — Literary Hub, 10 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for elemental
Recent Examples of Synonyms for elemental
  1. basic
  2. elementary
  3. rudimentary
  4. introductory
  5. fundamental
Adjective
  • There’s no such thing as a basic room here; even the smallest ones, at 240 to 260 square feet, look out over the bluffs to whitecaps winking in the sun.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 29 Oct. 2026
  • For the new fiscal year, the NSF’s budget is proposed to be cut in half, along with large budget cuts in most areas of basic science, including medical science at the National Institutes of Health.
    — Mattanjah de Vries, Chicago Tribune, 28 Oct. 2026
Definition of basic
Adjective
  • 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
  • Research from a Texas Christian University professor shows elementary students who get an hour of outdoor play daily perform better in the classroom.
    — Lina Ruiz, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of elementary
Adjective
  • My Arabic, French, and Berber language skills are also rudimentary.
    — Jen Murphy, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 Oct. 2026
  • For a while, Crystal Lake hews closely to the very rudimentary mythology introduced in Sean Cunningham’s original movie.
    — Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of rudimentary
Adjective
  • The basic model of competitive markets which one finds in an introductory economics textbook—where independent firms engage in cold arm’s-length transactions motivated by unadulterated self-interest—does not apply to the industry.
    — Gideon Lewis-Kraus, New Yorker, 19 Oct. 2026
  • JetBlue is offering some introductory fares for BlueFirst seats for select flights, including a $299 flight from Boston to Fort Lauderdale, a $249 option from New York to Fort Lauderdale and a $299 option from New York to Liberia, Costa Rica.
    — Maggie Roth, CNBC, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of introductory
Adjective
  • All this is at stake when fundamental science budgets are being drastically cut.
    — Mattanjah de Vries, Chicago Tribune, 28 Oct. 2026
  • Finally, there’s a fundamental misconception that estate planning is an expensive process that’s necessary only for older and wealthier people.
    — Christina Wing, Fortune, 27 Oct. 2026
Definition of fundamental

Browse Nearby Words

element
elemental
elementally
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Cite this Entry

“Elemental.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/elemental. Accessed 30 Oct. 2026.

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