rudimentary
roo-dih-MEHN-tuh-ree
Rudimentary (adj) means Basic or undeveloped; existing only in a simple or early form. Example: “The clinic had only rudimentary equipment, but it was enough for basic checkups.”
adj
1
Basic or undeveloped; existing only in a simple or early form.
"The clinic had only rudimentary equipment, but it was enough for basic checkups."
"His rudimentary grasp of French got him through the trip, just about."
How to use rudimentary
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishBasic, simple, or not fully developed — the starting point rather than the finished version.
Common mistake
Not the same as "elementary" (easy to understand); rudimentary describes something undeveloped or bare-bones, which can still be difficult.
Common pairings
rudimentary knowledge
rudimentary skills
rudimentary equipment
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Word forms
- Plural
- rudimentaries
- Comparative
- more rudimentary
- Superlative
- most rudimentary
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The clinic had only _____ equipment, but it was enough for basic checkups.
Etymology
From rudiment plus the adjective ending -ary; rudiment traces back to Latin rudis, "raw" or "unworked."
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for rudimentary
See all rhymes for rudimentary →Frequently asked questions
What does “rudimentary” mean?
The word “rudimentary” means basic or undeveloped; existing only in a simple or early form. In plain terms, basic, simple, or not fully developed — the starting point rather than the finished version.
How do you pronounce “rudimentary”?
“Rudimentary” is pronounced roo-dih-MEHN-tuh-ree (/ˌɹuːdɪˈmɛntəɹi/ in IPA).
How do you use “rudimentary” in a sentence?
Here is “rudimentary” used in a sentence: “The clinic had only rudimentary equipment, but it was enough for basic checkups.”
What part of speech is “rudimentary”?
“Rudimentary” is an adjective.
Where does the word “rudimentary” come from?
The word “rudimentary” comes from Latin. From rudiment plus the adjective ending -ary; rudiment traces back to Latin rudis, "raw" or "unworked.".
Is “rudimentary” a common word?
“Rudimentary” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the C1 level.
