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 HittSynonyms
Examples 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
Photovogue, Vogue, 29 Jan. 2025
As a drama with an elemental emotional kick—a child alone, facing dangers while trying to find his way home—it has been wrongly disparaged as sentimental, conventional, or even compromised.
—Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 23 Jan. 2025
Patty Weasler, Rn, Bsn, Verywell Health, 16 Jan. 2025
Examples include elementals that cause different natural disasters each round of a battle.
—Rob Wieland, Forbes, 13 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for elemental 
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show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Adjective
Gavin Van Horn, known for his books The Way of Coyote, City Creatures, and the award-winning Kinship and Elementals series, offers a unique perspective as a writer and editor deeply immersed in exploring the ties between humans and the elemental forces of earth, air, water, and fire.
—Photovogue, Vogue, 29 Jan. 2025
As a drama with an elemental emotional kick—a child alone, facing dangers while trying to find his way home—it has been wrongly disparaged as sentimental, conventional, or even compromised.
—Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 23 Jan. 2025
Noun
Overall, the elemental diet is associated with minimal side effects.
—Patty Weasler, Rn, Bsn, Verywell Health, 16 Jan. 2025
Examples include elementals that cause different natural disasters each round of a battle.
—Rob Wieland, Forbes, 13 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for elemental
Articles Related to elemental
Dictionary Entries Near elemental
Cite this Entry
“Elemental.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/elemental. Accessed 4 Feb. 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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