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elementary
[ el-uh-men-tuh-ree, -tree ]
adjective
- pertaining to or dealing with elements, rudiments, or first principles:
an elementary grammar.
- of or relating to an elementary school:
elementary teachers.
- of the nature of an ultimate constituent; simple or uncompounded.
- pertaining to the four elements, earth, water, air, and fire, or to the great forces of nature; elemental.
- Chemistry. of or noting one or more elements.
elementary
/ -trɪ; ˌɛlɪˈmɛntərɪ /
adjective
- not difficult; simple; rudimentary
- of or concerned with the first principles of a subject; introductory or fundamental
- maths (of a function) having the form of an algebraic, exponential, trigonometric, or a logarithmic function, or any combination of these
- chem another word for elemental
Derived Forms
- ˌˈԳٲ, adverb
- ˌˈԳٲԱ, noun
Other 51Թ Forms
- ···ٲ·· [el-, uh, -men-, ter, -, uh, -lee], adverb
- e·t··Ա noun
- ԴDze··t· adjective
- Dze··t· adjective
- e··t· adjective
- ܲȴ-e·t· adjective
- p·e·t· adjective
- ٰԲe··t· adjective
- ܲe··t· adjective
51Թ History and Origins
Origin of elementary1
Synonym Study
Example Sentences
Nor, apparently, was elementary logic: How many people voted for Trump believing that foreign companies, rather than they themselves, would pay the tariffs on imports?
Students at the two elementary campuses have been relocated to nearby public schools.
They hired environmental consultants to assess the soil at the elementary schools.
One of those spree shootings was at Sandy Hook, the Connecticut elementary school where 26 people were killed in 2012.
Science gets tested once in elementary, once in middle and once in high school.
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Related 51Թs
More About Elementary
What does elementary mean?
Elementary describes the basics or beginning steps of something. Elementary lessons in soccer, for example, might include how to dribble the ball.
The most common use of elementary in the US is in the phrase elementary school, the first few years of schooling, when the basics of reading, math, and other important subjects are taught. An elementary teacher is someone who teaches in elementary school and an elementary math book is a book with math lessons aimed at elementary schoolchildren.
Elementary can also be used in the context of chemical elements, which are a class of substances that cannot be broken down into simpler substances. In older scientific studies and belief systems, the Earth was believed to be elementarily comprised of four elements: earth, fire, water, and air.
Related to that, something that is elementary is simple or uncompounded.
Example: Times tables are simply elementary, so I do not need a calculator.
Where does elementary come from?
The first records of the term elementary come from the 1400s. It ultimately comes from the Latin Գܲ, meaning “of one of the four elements.” The four elements were once considered the simple building blocks that make up nature.
Elementary is famous in popular culture as a supposed catchphrase for Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s fictional detective, Sherlock Holmes. The phrase “It is elementary, my dear Watson,” was popularized by fans of the detective series but was never actually said by the character. Holmes did often use the word elementary, however, when explaining his deductions. Doyle’s use of elementary makes his character appear smarter than the average person.
Did you know … ?
What are some other forms related to elementary?
- elementarily (adverb)
- elementariness (noun)
- nonelementary (adjective)
- postelementary (adjective)
What are some synonyms for elementary?
What are some words that share a root or word element with elementary?
What are some words that often get used in discussing elementary?
How is elementary used in real life?
Elementary is usually used to describe something basic or to suggest something difficult is actually easy.
I miss elementary school happiness. that prepubescent happiness hit different.
— queen quen (@quenblackwell)
elementary, my dear hoatzin !
— ⍾ (@sjwalrus)
Just for fun: If I were an elementary particle, I would be a:
— Tommy Technetium (Tom Kuntzleman) (@pchemstud)
Try using elementary!
Which of the following is NOT a synonym for elementary?
A. elemental
B. basic
C. simple
D. secondary
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