Elementary: meaning, definitions and examples

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elementary

[ˌelɪˈmɛntəri ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Adjective}

school education

Relating to the first stage of education, typically for children aged 5 to 11.

Synonyms

basic, fundamental, primary.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
elementary	Use this word when you refer to something simple and easy to understand, often used in the context of education or skills. She explained the problem in elementary terms so everyone could understand. The course covers the elementary principles of chemistry.
primary	Use this word to indicate something that is the most important or the first in a sequence. Her primary responsibility at the company is project management. The primary goal of this initiative is to improve community health.
basic	This word is used for describing something essential or necessary, often the simplest or least complex version of something. He needs to learn basic HTML before he can build a website. We need basic supplies like food and water.
fundamental	This term is best used for describing something that is foundational or essential to a system, theory, or concept. Freedom of speech is a fundamental human right. Understanding these equations is fundamental to mastering physics.

Examples of usage

It's important to establish a strong foundation in elementary education.
In elementary school, students learn basic math and language skills.

^{Context #2 | Adjective}

simple

Simple or basic, not complicated or advanced.

Synonyms

basic, simple, straightforward.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
elementary	Used to describe something that is very simple or fundamental, often in the context of education or understanding basic concepts. She needs to improve her elementary math skills The explanation was so elementary that a child could understand it
basic	Refers to the essential, fundamental parts of something, especially when discussing simple, foundational elements. Everyone should know some basic first aid The recipe is quite basic, just follow the steps
simple	Indicates something that is easy to understand or do, often without any complexity or difficulty. It's a simple task, just follow the instructions The design is simple yet elegant
straightforward	Describes something that is easy to understand or do because it is clear and uncomplicated. Her instructions were straightforward and easy to follow The solution to the problem is straightforward

Examples of usage

His explanation was so elementary that even a child could understand it.
The concept is quite elementary and easy to grasp.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The word comes from the Latin word 'elementaris', meaning 'belonging to the elements'.
In ancient times, 'elements' referred to earth, water, air, and fire, which were seen as the basic building blocks of everything.

Education

In the educational system, 'elementary school' refers to the first stage of formal education for young children.
Curricula in elementary levels focus on foundational subjects like math, reading, and science, laying the groundwork for more advanced learning.

Science

In chemistry, 'elementary' refers to basic substances that cannot be broken down into simpler substances, like hydrogen and oxygen.
The concept of elementary particles are fundamental building blocks of matter in physics.

Cultural References

In popular culture, 'Elementary' has been used as a title for adaptations of the Sherlock Holmes stories, emphasizing simplicity in uncovering complex mysteries.
The phrase 'elementary, my dear Watson' indicates straightforward deductions made by Sherlock Holmes.

Psychology

Understanding elementary concepts is crucial in cognitive development, as recognizing simple ideas helps children form more complex thoughts later.
Research shows that simplifying information makes it easier for individuals to learn and retain knowledge.

Translations

Translations of the word "elementary" in other languages:

🇵🇹 elementar

🇮🇳 मूलभूत

🇩🇪 elementar

🇮🇩 dasar

🇺🇦 елементарний

🇵🇱 elementarny

🇯🇵 初歩的な (shohoteki na)

🇫🇷 élémentaire

🇪🇸 elemental

🇹🇷 temel

🇰🇷 기본적인 (gibonjeog-in)

🇸🇦 ابتدائي

🇨🇿 základní

🇸🇰 základný

🇨🇳 基本的 (jīběn de)

🇸🇮 osnovni

🇮🇸 frumstig

🇰🇿 бастапқы

🇬🇪 საწყისი

🇦🇿 əsas

🇲🇽 elemental

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #3,272, this word is part of upper-intermediate vocabulary. While not among the most basic terms, it appears often enough to be valuable for advanced communication.

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3269 pump
3270 pull
3271 installation
3272 elementary
3273 males
3274 pleasant
3275 helping
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