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.

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

They demand proof before they are willing to accept elementary facts, much less claims about novel breakthroughs, and many of them have been skeptical about AI revolutionizing their industry.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 30, 2026

The risk of fire or flash fire spread across many city blocks, with dozens of homes, an elementary school and businesses in a potential blast damage zone.

From Los Angeles Times • May 28, 2026

My favorite memories with Autumn flip like a slideshow in my head, including spontaneous karaoke and hopscotch behind the public elementary school.

From "Kwame Crashes the Underworld" by Craig Kofi Farmer

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

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