Definitions

elementary

[el-uh-men-tuh-ree, -tree] / ˌɛl əˈmɛn tə ri, -tri /

ADJECTIVE

simple, basic

Synonyms

STRONGEST

elemental fundamental rudimentary straightforward underlying

WEAK

ABCs abecedarian basal beginning child's play clear duck soup easy essential facile foundational initial introductory meat and potatoes original plain prefatory preliminary primary primitive primo simplest simplex simplified substratal uncomplex uncomplicated

Antonyms

STRONGEST

additional advanced extra secondary

WEAK

abstruse complex complicated compound difficult hard intricate involved

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Downtown LA Law Group, one of Southern California’s most prolific personal injury firms, was founded by three longtime friends: Azizi and Yaghoubtil, who are cousins, and Salar Hendizadeh, a friend from elementary school.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 4, 2026

By fall 2025, 1 of 12 entering students was placed into remedial math to learn material taught in elementary and middle school.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 1, 2026

And Mario Thompson, an elementary school principal who has been intimately involved in all his daughters’ careers, is having to negotiate all this on the fly.

From Los Angeles Times • May 30, 2026

The National Transportation Safety Board opened an ongoing investigation into Waymo after a robotaxi struck a child in Santa Monica, Calif., near an elementary school.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 30, 2026

The driver hands me an envelope with the logo of an elementary school in Buffalo Grove, Illinois.

From "Linked" by Gordon Korman

Vocabulary lists containing elementary

Animal Farm

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Essential English Vocabulary, List 1

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'Tis A Gift To Be Simple: Words For National Simplicity Day

Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!