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Rudimentary: meaning, definitions and examples

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rudimentary

 

[ ˌruːdɪˈmɛnt(ə)ri ]

Adjective / Noun
Context #1 | Adjective

basic

Involving or limited to basic principles; of a simple or rudimentary form.

Synonyms

basic, elementary, fundamental, primitive.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
rudimentary

Used when something is very basic and not fully developed. It often describes early stages or something that needs further development.

  • The robot has rudimentary AI capabilities
  • His knowledge of French is rudimentary at best
basic

Commonly used to describe something that is simple, essential, or necessary, without any additions or enhancements.

  • She learned the basic rules of the game quickly
  • This course covers the basic principles of physics
elementary

Typically refers to the simplest and most fundamental parts of a subject. It can also refer to early education levels.

  • They covered elementary mathematics in the first semester
  • She is teaching at an elementary school
primitive

Often used with a negative connotation to describe something that is very basic and crude, usually suggesting an early and outdated state.

  • The ancient tribe had primitive tools
  • The technology they used seemed primitive by today's standards
fundamental

Describes something that is central or essential to the nature of a subject or concept. It is often foundational.

  • Understanding grammar is fundamental to learning a new language
  • The fundamental principles of democracy were discussed

Examples of usage

  • The book provides a rudimentary explanation of the topic.
  • He only has a rudimentary understanding of the subject.
  • The device has only rudimentary features.
  • Her knowledge of the language is rudimentary at best.
  • His rudimentary skills are not enough for this advanced task.
Context #2 | Noun

anatomy

Relating to an immature, undeveloped, or basic form or structure.

Synonyms

basic, elementary, immature, undeveloped.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
rudimentary

Suitable for describing something that is very basic and not fully developed or advanced. Often used in scientific or technical contexts.

  • His understanding of quantum physics is still at a rudimentary level
undeveloped

Used to describe something that has not been developed or is in a raw or unfinished state. It’s often used in contexts related to land, areas, or projects.

  • The company invested in an undeveloped plot of land
immature

Best used to describe someone or something that is not fully developed or is acting in a childish or unrefined manner. It has a negative connotation.

  • His behavior at the meeting was quite immature
basic

Used to describe something that is fundamental or essential. It’s often used in everyday conversation to indicate simplicity.

  • She taught him the basic principles of cooking
elementary

Appropriate for describing the beginning stages of something or something that is simple and fundamental, often used in educational contexts.

  • The teacher explained the elementary concepts of mathematics to the first graders

Examples of usage

  • The rudimentary organs in the human body serve little to no function.
  • Evolutionary biologists study rudimentary structures in various species.
  • The fish embryo shows rudimentary limbs during development.

Translations

Translations of the word "rudimentary" in other languages:

🇵🇹 rudimentar

🇮🇳 प्राथमिक

🇩🇪 rudimentär

🇮🇩 dasar

🇺🇦 рудиментарний

🇵🇱 rudimentaryjny

🇯🇵 基本的な

🇫🇷 rudimentaire

🇪🇸 rudimentario

🇹🇷 ilkel

🇰🇷 기초적인

🇸🇦 أولي

🇨🇿 základní

🇸🇰 základný

🇨🇳 基础的

🇸🇮 osnoven

🇮🇸 frumstæður

🇰🇿 негізгі

🇬🇪 ძირითადი

🇦🇿 əsas

🇲🇽 rudimentario

Etymology

The word 'rudimentary' originates from the Latin word 'rudimentum,' meaning 'beginning, first attempt, or unformed material.' It entered the English language in the early 17th century, referring to something basic or undeveloped. Over time, 'rudimentary' has come to represent the fundamental or elementary nature of things, reflecting simplicity or early stages of development.

See also: rude, rudely, rudeness, rudiments.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranked #12,060, this word falls into high-advanced vocabulary. It appears less frequently but is valuable for expressing precise meanings in specific contexts.