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 Saint followed her sister to Bowling Green State University in Ohio and majored in elementary education. — Duane Byrge, HollywoodReporter, 6 Oct. 2026 The minds of elementary and middle school students are more plastic and open to new things like learning a foreign language. — Doug Wojcieszak, Washington Post, 5 Oct. 2026 Even when the weights and every elementary computation are available for inspection, no one can readily understand how the models produce a particular answer. — Ambuj Tewari, The Conversation, 29 Sep. 2026 This school year, Mayor Mamdani paused the use of AI for elementary and middle school students, and provided grade-appropriate bans or guidance on screen time. — Cayla Bamberger, New York Daily News, 25 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for elementary

Recent Examples of Synonyms for elementary

Adjective

This is the basic technology that revolutionized US oil a decade ago, and made the country by far the world’s top producer.

— Tim McDonnell, semafor.com, 22 Oct. 2026
The basic problem is that extremely similar lawsuits can be brought in courts in different jurisdictions, which aren’t bound by rulings in other jurisdictions.

— Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of basic

Adjective

The basic model of competitive markets which one finds in an introductory economics textbook—where independent firms engage in cold arm’s-length transactions motivated by unadulterated self-interest—does not apply to the industry.

— Gideon Lewis-Kraus, New Yorker, 19 Oct. 2026
JetBlue is offering some introductory fares for BlueFirst seats for select flights, including a $299 flight from Boston to Fort Lauderdale, a $249 option from New York to Fort Lauderdale and a $299 option from New York to Liberia, Costa Rica.

— Maggie Roth, CNBC, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of introductory

Adjective

For companies like Target, listening to employees is fundamental.

— Ted Kitterman, Fortune, 20 Oct. 2026
Earnings growth projected to exceed a 20% year-over-year growth rate again this quarter can hardly be viewed as anything but a positive at least to bolster the fundamental case.

— Michael Santoli, CNBC, 20 Oct. 2026