ELEMENTARY Synonyms: 41 Similar and Opposite Words

elementary

adjective

ˌe-lə-ˈmen-tə-rē

Definition of elementary

as in basic

of or relating to the simplest facts or theories of a subject students who do not have even an elementary knowledge of geography

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Example Sentences

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Recent Examples of elementary Wesley, who has taught at elementary schools and sports programs around the East Bay, has pleaded not guilty. — Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 7 Aug. 2026 Wilson grew up in Louisiana as the son of a sharecropper and ran away from home with just an elementary education. — Alice Yin, Chicago Tribune, 5 Aug. 2026 Diediker, a Kansas State University graduate, is an Olathe mother of three and a former elementary music teacher. — Judy L. Thomas, Kansas City Star, 5 Aug. 2026 With the new school year fast approaching, The Sacramento Bee compiled the first day for elementary, middle and high schools in the Sacramento area. — Vince Basada, Sacbee.com, 3 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for elementary

Recent Examples of Synonyms for elementary

Adjective

The away end is the only section to pre-date Charlton’s seven-year absence and facilities in there are basic.

— Richard Sutcliffe, New York Times, 13 Aug. 2026
The research, published in Chem Circularity, explores a system based on calcium looping, a process that uses the same basic material—limestone—that is already central to cement manufacturing.

— Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 13 Aug. 2026

Definition of basic

Adjective

Initially a rudimentary, box-like affair, things have improved since, thanks mainly to the addition of a second tier behind the goal.

— Richard Sutcliffe, New York Times, 13 Aug. 2026
And packing no GoTo computer requires at least a rudimentary knowledge of the night sky and a star atlas or planetarium software.

— Damian Peach, Space.com, 4 Aug. 2026

Definition of rudimentary

Adjective

Balance transfers made within 120 days qualify for the introductory rate, and a balance transfer fee of 5%, minimum $5, applies.

— Jason Stauffer, CNBC, 17 Aug. 2026
The first wave of customers will have access to the lowest introductory pricing through a limited Early Bird promotion.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 14 Aug. 2026

Definition of introductory

Adjective

Some of those fundamental points outlined in that piece will be used here to get you up to speed on the weighty topic.

— Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 19 Aug. 2026
Known as Eurasianism, this conviction in the fundamental difference between Russia and the West at least partly underpins the Kremlin’s ruling ideology today.

— Foreign Affairs, Foreign Affairs, 18 Aug. 2026