rudimentary

adjective

ru·​di·​men·​ta·​ry ˌrü-də-ˈmen-tə-rē 

-ˈmen-trē

1

: consisting in first principles : fundamental

had only a rudimentary formal education

—D. J. Boorstin

2

: of a primitive kind

the equipment of these past empire-builders was rudimentary

—A. J. Toynbee

3

: very imperfectly developed or represented only by a vestige

the rudimentary tail of a hyrax

rudimentarily

ˌrü-də-ˌmen-ˈter-ə-lē 

-ˈmen-trə-lē

adverb

rudimentariness

ˌrü-də-ˈmen-tə-rē-nəs 

-ˈmen-trē-

noun

Synonyms

• crude
• low
• primitive
• rude

Examples of rudimentary in a Sentence

Because now, every schlemiel with a pair of mirrored sunglasses and a rudimentary grasp of the rules of poker thinks he can play cards with the pros. —A. J. Jacobs, New York Times Book Review, 8 May 2005

Despite the rudimentary nature of its instruments—an octant, a chronometer and a level—the Lewis and Clark Expedition was a triumph for science and natural history. —Daniel J. Boorstin, U.S. News & World Report, 11 July 1994

A few were hopeless imbeciles, unable to comprehend more than the rudimentary requirements of filling their bellies when food was placed before them … —Edgar Rice Burroughs, The Monster Men, 1929

This class requires a rudimentary knowledge of human anatomy.

When baseball was in its rudimentary stages, different teams played by different rules.

Some insects have only rudimentary wings.

Recent Examples on the Web

The most rudimentary method is something anyone with a computer can do at home: asking a chatbot to produce many responses to a single question. —Lauren Leffer, Scientific American, 23 Jan. 2025

Macondo 0-1, as it is called, the rudimentary village of Macondo, was built at Garanchal Ranch, Venadillo, a 20-minute drive north go Alvardo, on the edge of the Magdalena River, Colombia’s longest, in Tolima. —John Hopewell, Variety, 20 Jan. 2025

The museum displays the rudimentary equipment and clothing that alpinists once used and showcases their great achievements in conquering mountains here and abroad. —Joanne Shurvell, Forbes, 20 Jan. 2025

Compared with the instrument panel in many competing vehicles, the cluster is small, and its rudimentary green and white graphics look dated. —Doug Newcomb, PCMAG, 16 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

see rudiment

First Known Use

1619, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

rudimentary

adjective

ru·​di·​men·​ta·​ry ˌrüd-ə-ˈment-ə-rē 

-ˈmen-trē

1

: elementary sense 1, fundamental

2

: very imperfectly developed or represented only by a small part compared to the fully developed form

a rudimentary tail

Medical Definition

rudimentary

adjective

ru·​di·​men·​ta·​ry ˌrüd-ə-ˈment-ə-rē, -ˈmen-trē 

: very imperfectly developed or represented only by a vestige