# elemental

/ˌɛɫəˈmɛnəɫ/ (US) · /ˌɛlɪmˈɛntəl/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/elemental
Updated: 2026-08-08

## Senses

### 1. basic and fundamental

adjective · CEFR C1 · Academic

describing something that is a basic or necessary part of something else.

For teachers: fundamental or primary; constituting a basic or essential constituent of a larger system.

- The elemental truth of the situation was that they simply didn't have enough money.
- The philosopher argued that the elemental desire for freedom is what drives all human political progress.

### 2. forces of nature

adjective · CEFR C1 · Literary

powerful and natural, like a great storm or a wild fire.

For teachers: relating to or resembling the great forces of nature, especially in being powerful, raw, or uncontrollable.

- The sailors struggled against the elemental power of the ocean storm.
- The poet's work often explores the elemental struggle between man and the harsh, unyielding landscape of the north.

### 3. chemical elements

adjective · CEFR C1 · Technical

related to the simplest chemical substances that cannot be broken down further.

For teachers: pertaining to or being a chemical element as opposed to a compound.

- The lab analyzed the elemental composition of the soil sample.
- The researcher used spectroscopy to determine the elemental makeup of the distant star's atmosphere.

### 4. classical elements

adjective · CEFR C2 · Archaic · Literary

related to the ancient ideas of earth, air, fire, and water.

For teachers: relating to the four classical elements of ancient and medieval philosophy: earth, air, fire, and water.

- Ancient doctors believed that health depended on a balance of elemental forces.
- The alchemist's manuscript detailed the supposed elemental transformations required to turn lead into gold.

### 5. a nature spirit

noun · CEFR C2 · Literary

a magical creature or spirit made of one thing, like fire or water.

For teachers: a supernatural entity or spirit associated with one of the four classical elements.

- In the story, a fire elemental lived deep inside the volcano.
- The fantasy novel depicts earth elementals as slow, massive creatures made entirely of living stone and clay.

## Examples

- The storm showed the elemental power of nature.
- The artist used elemental shapes like circles and squares to build her complex sculptures.
- The philosopher argued that justice is an elemental requirement for any functioning society, serving as the bedrock upon which all other laws are constructed.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.