elementary
gb/ˌɛləmˈɛntɹi/ us/ˌɛləmˈɛntɹi/
A1
English
~ 3300
Senses
0 senses
adjective
A2
property
1
Basic and simple
Very simple and easy to understand; the first level of something.
Usage pattern:
[something] is elementary
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'elementary' with 'primary' when talking about importance rather than simplicity.
Synonyms
basic (Very close in meaning, but 'basic' is more common in everyday speech.)
|
fundamental ('Fundamental' can sound more formal or academic.)
Antonyms
advanced ('Advanced' refers to a higher, more complex level, opposite of basic.)
Collocations
elementary mistake
|elementary principle
|elementary level
|elementary skill
Themes
education
|learning
|general
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The instructions are written in elementary language so everyone can follow them.
- She made an elementary error in her calculations.
- Understanding the concept of gravity is elementary for physics students.
- This book covers only the most elementary principles of chemistry.
Learner examples
- The game rules are elementary.
- He made an elementary mistake.
- This is an elementary question.
- We learned elementary math at school.
adjective
A1
property
2
Relating to primary school
About the first years of school for children, usually ages 5–11.
Usage pattern:
elementary [school/class/teacher]
Common mistake:
Some learners use 'elementary' instead of 'primary' in British English contexts, which can sound foreign.
Synonyms
primary ('Primary' is the standard term in British English for the same school level.)
Antonyms
secondary (Refers to the next level of schooling after elementary/primary.)
Collocations
elementary school
|elementary teacher
|elementary student
Themes
education
Examples
- She teaches at an elementary school in the city.
- My son just finished his third year of elementary education.
- Elementary teachers often cover many subjects with the same class.
Learner examples
- I go to an elementary school.
- My sister is in elementary school.
- He is an elementary teacher.
adjective
technical
B2
property
3
Basic indivisible part
In science, describing something that is a basic part and cannot be divided into smaller parts.
Synonyms
fundamental ('Fundamental' is broader and not limited to science.)
Antonyms
composite (Made up of more than one part.)
Collocations
elementary particle
|elementary unit
Themes
science
Examples
- Electrons are considered elementary particles in physics.
- The theory describes matter as made up of elementary components.
- Protons were once thought to be elementary but are now known to be composite.
Learner examples
- An electron is an elementary particle.
- Atoms have smaller parts, but some particles are elementary.
- In physics, we study elementary particles.
Grammar
Expressions
elementary mistake
1/ˌɛləmˈɛntɹi mɪstˈeɪk/
fixed phrase
Very simple error
A very simple mistake that should be easy to avoid.
Examples
- Leaving your keys inside the car was an elementary mistake.
- He made an elementary mistake in his homework.
elementary school
1/ˌɛləmˈɛntɹi skˈul/
fixed phrase
School for young children
A school for children in their first years, usually ages 5–11.
Examples
- My daughter starts elementary school next fall.
- They moved to a neighborhood with a good elementary school nearby.
Elementary, my dear Watson
1/ˌɛləmˈɛntɹi | mˈaɪ dˈɪɹ wˈɑtsən/
fixed phrase
literary
It's simple to understand
A famous phrase meaning something is very easy to understand or solve, often used humorously.
Examples
- 'How did you know?' — 'Elementary, my dear Watson.'
- He figured out the puzzle quickly and said, 'Elementary, my dear Watson.'