el·e·men·tal
ˌe-lə-ˈmen-tᵊl 
1
a
: of, relating to, or being an element
specifically
: existing as an uncombined chemical element
b(1)
: of, relating to, or being the basic or essential constituent of something : fundamental
elemental biological needs
(2)
: simple, uncomplicated
elemental food
c
: of, relating to, or dealing with the rudiments of something : elementary
taught elemental crafts to the children
d
: forming an integral part : inherent
an elemental sense of rhythm
2
: of, relating to, or resembling a great force of nature
the rains come with elemental violence
elemental passions
plural elementals
1
: a supernatural being : spirit
"It's a heritage. My mother was a witch and her mother was a witch. My specialty is (prophetic) dreaming. We believe elementals do exist," said Lady L …—
D. L. Stephenson
D. L. Stephenson2
: an elementary part or principle
—usually plural
All objects consist of smaller objects. … Lamps, bicycles, and houses are compound objects made of constituent parts, or elementals.—Alan L. Laity
Alan L. LaityThese two epistemologies exist in distinct dimensions: science struggles to discover the elementals of our material existence through empiricism, and theology strives to describe the universality of our … existence through faith.—Jack Hitt
Jack HittExamples of elemental in a Sentence
Adjective
an elemental difference between the two
Their elemental passion led to tragedy.
the elemental power of the storm
an elemental analysis of the solution
Recent Examples on the Web
Caron Golden, San Diego Union-Tribune, 31 May 2025
Thus the movie’s financial and martial machinations take place within a more elemental family drama: in order to win his daughter’s allegiance and affection, Zsa-zsa must pursue a mock-Shakespearean plot of fratricidal revenge.
—Richard Brody, New Yorker, 29 May 2025
Trang Tran, Verywell Health, 27 May 2025
The elemental amount is usually the smaller number on the bottle.
—Jillian Kubala, Health, 17 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for elemental
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Adjective
Each room has a name and elemental theme: The kitchen is Fire, with explosive pinks and yellows.
—Caron Golden, San Diego Union-Tribune, 31 May 2025
Thus the movie’s financial and martial machinations take place within a more elemental family drama: in order to win his daughter’s allegiance and affection, Zsa-zsa must pursue a mock-Shakespearean plot of fratricidal revenge.
—Richard Brody, New Yorker, 29 May 2025
Noun
Calcium carbonate: Calcium carbonate provides 40% elemental calcium and requires stomach acid for absorption.2 It is best taken with food.
—Trang Tran, Verywell Health, 27 May 2025
The elemental amount is usually the smaller number on the bottle.
—Jillian Kubala, Health, 17 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for elemental
Cite this Entry
“Elemental.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/elemental. Accessed 5 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
elemental
adjective
el·e·men·tal
ˌel-ə-ˈment-ᵊl
1
a
: of, relating to, or being an element
especially
: existing as an uncombined chemical element
2
: of, relating to, or resembling a force of nature
Medical Definition
elemental
adjective
el·e·men·tal
ˌel-ə-ˈment-ᵊl
: of, relating to, or being an element
specifically
: existing as an uncombined chemical element
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