elemental
/ˌelɪˈmentl/ (bre, ipa) · [ˌɛləmˈɛntəl] /ˌelɪˈmentl/ (ame, ipa) · [ˌɛləmˈɛntəl] /ˌe-lə-ˈmen-tᵊl/ (ame, mw)
elemental — adjective
- elementalpositive
- more elementalcomparative
- most elementalsuperlative
1. relating to the simplest and most essential qualities or needs that something is
relating to the simplest and most essential qualities or needs that something is built upon, and which feel powerful because they are so basic
The documentary explored the elemental need for food, water, and shelter in every human society.
collocation: elemental need
Minh felt an elemental sense of joy just by being near the sea each morning.
Trust is an elemental part of any strong friendship between two people.
Ayana's speech touched on the elemental question of what it means to be human.
For the refugees, finding safe housing was an elemental need that could not be ignored.
- fundamental
the closest synonym; both mean 'forming a necessary base', but 'elemental' adds a sense of raw power
- basic
more neutral and common; lacks the 'strong/important' connotation of 'elemental'
- essential
focuses on necessity rather than simplicity or power
- primal
suggests something ancient and original, often in an emotional context
- secondary
less important or derived from something else
- nonessential
not necessary for the basic structure
文法句型
elemental + noun
用法筆記
Often used with nouns that describe deep human experiences: 'need', 'desire', 'fear', 'truth', 'question'. This sense emphasises that something is not just basic but also powerful and hard to ignore.
常見錯誤
2. relating to the wild and destructive power of nature, such as wind, fire, water,
relating to the wild and destructive power of nature, such as wind, fire, water, and storms
The hurricane released an elemental fury that flattened whole towns along the coast.
collocation: elemental fury
Tanvi stood on the cliff and felt the elemental power of the crashing waves below.
collocation: elemental power
Ancient people saw thunder and lightning as the work of powerful elemental gods.
The earthquake was a reminder of the elemental forces that shape our planet.
Haruto described the volcano's eruption as an act of elemental violence that reshaped the landscape.
- civilised
controlled and orderly, as opposed to wild natural power
文法句型
elemental + noun
用法筆記
Common in literary or descriptive writing rather than everyday conversation. Frequently paired with nouns describing destructive events: 'fury', 'power', 'force', 'violence'.
3. existing as a pure chemical element rather than combined with other elements in
existing as a pure chemical element rather than combined with other elements in a compound; relating to the basic substances that all matter is made of
Gold can be found in its elemental form as nuggets buried in riverbeds or rocks.
collocation: elemental form
In chemistry class, Kian learned how to identify elemental substances using a flame test.
Oxygen is essential to life, but rarely exists in pure elemental form in air.
Scientists study the elemental composition of distant stars by analysing the light they give off.
Camila's research project examined the properties of elemental carbon in diamond and graphite forms.
- pure
a simpler word; means 'not mixed with anything else', which overlaps with one aspect of 'elemental'
- uncombined
a technical chemistry term; describes an element that has not formed a compound
文法句型
elemental + noun
用法筆記
Used in chemistry and earth science to distinguish a pure element from a mixture or compound. 'Elemental' is different from 'elementary' (simple or easy) — do not confuse them.