How to pronounce elementary
Say it like el-uh-MEN-tree. Elementary has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (MEN).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce elementary. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- el
- uh
- MEN
- tree
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Elementary pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- elGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- uhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- MENSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- treeKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
American vs British pronunciation of elementary
American and British speakers say elementary in essentially the same way: /ˌɛləˈmɛntri/ in the US and /ˌɛlɪˈmɛntri/ in the UK.
British respelling: el-ih-MEN-tree.
What does elementary mean?
- easy and not involved or complicated“an elementary problem in statistics”“elementary, my dear Watson”
- of or pertaining to or characteristic of elementary school or elementary education“the elementary grades”“elementary teachers”
- of or being the essential or basic part“an elementary need for love and nurturing”“a basal reader”
Where does elementary come from?
From Middle English elementare, from Latin elementārius (“elementary”), from elementum (“one of the four elements of antiquity; fundamentals”) + -ārius (adjective-forming suffix).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with elementary
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of elementary.
Questions about saying elementary
How do you pronounce elementary?
Say el-uh-MEN-tree. The American pronunciation is /ˌɛləˈmɛntri/. In British English it is /ˌɛlɪˈmɛntri/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in elementary?
Elementary has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (MEN). Broken into parts: el · uh · MEN · tree.
Do Americans and Brits say elementary the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˌɛləˈmɛntri/ and the British form is /ˌɛlɪˈmɛntri/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.