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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 Word 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
Word History and Origins
Origin of elementary1
Synonym Study
Example Sentences
Michelle, an elementary school student in East Nusa Tenggara province, was one of several in her school who suffered suspected food poisoning in February.
Anderson hadn’t danced in a studio setting since elementary school and was eager to find her rhythm.
They explained this state rule applied to older students and sex education, but not to reading lessons for elementary children.
At a Wisconsin elementary school in the 1960s, she faced racism and presumptions of idiocy.
Immigration agents sought access to students at two Los Angeles elementary schools last week and were denied access.
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More About Elementary
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 … ?
are some other forms related to elementary?
- elementarily (adverb)
- elementariness (noun)
- nonelementary (adjective)
- postelementary (adjective)
are some synonyms for elementary?
are some words that share a root or word element with elementary?
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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