What does elementarily mean?
"Elementarily" is the adverb form of "elementary", meaning in a basic, simple, or rudimentary manner. It is used to describe treatment of a subject that stays at an introductory level, without advanced depth or complexity — as when a lecture handles a topic elementarily before progressing further. Though grammatically well formed and understood throughout the English-speaking world, it is a comparatively rare word: speakers far more often reach for the adjective "elementary" itself, or rephrase with expressions like "in simple terms". The word does have a notable technical life in mathematical logic, where "elementarily equivalent" is a precise term for structures that satisfy exactly the same first-order sentences. Like its parent word, it derives ultimately from Latin "elementum". For most readers, then, "elementarily" is worth recognizing rather than using — useful mainly in formal or technical prose where an adverbial form is genuinely needed.
In a basic, simple, or rudimentary manner; at an introductory level.
"The subject is treated elementarily in the opening chapters."
Somewhat formal and infrequent; often replaceable by simpler phrasing.
(Logic) With respect to first-order properties; especially in "elementarily equivalent", describing structures that satisfy the same first-order sentences.
"The models are elementarily equivalent but not isomorphic."
Outside of everyday speech, "elementarily" has a surprising second home: mathematical logic, where two structures are called "elementarily equivalent" if they are indistinguishable by every sentence of first-order logic.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of elementarily
"Elementarily" is formed from the adjective "elementary" plus the adverbial suffix "-ly". "Elementary" comes from Latin "elementarius", derived from "elementum", meaning a first principle or basic component — the same root that gives English "element". The Latin word's ultimate origin is uncertain, though it was long associated with the letters of the alphabet as the elements of reading. The adverb follows the standard pattern of English derivation from Latinate adjectives.
Related word forms
How elementarily is actually used
"Elementarily" is markedly less common than its adjective "elementary" and can sound stiff or bookish in ordinary conversation. Outside technical logic, writers often prefer phrases like "in basic terms" or "at a fundamental level".
Easily confused with elementarily
"Elementary" is the adjective describing something basic or fundamental, while "elementarily" is its rarer adverb form describing how something is done.
"Elemental" refers to the basic forces of nature or something powerful and primal, whereas "elementarily" relates only to basic or introductory treatment.