Elements — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun phrase /ˈe-lə-mənt/ el·e·ment

Meaning & Definition of Elements

Elements (noun)

  1. any of the four substances air, water, fire, and earth formerly believed to compose the physical universe
  2. weather conditions; especially, violent or severe weather
  3. the state or sphere natural or suited to a person or thing
  4. an element (such as 0 in the set of all integers under addition or 1 in the set of positive integers under multiplication) that leaves any element of the set to which it belongs unchanged when combined with it by a specified operation
  5. trace element
  6. a chemical element present in minute quantities; especially, a micronutrient (such as iodine, iron, and zinc) with an optimum daily intake of typically less than 100 milligrams a day
  7. a segment of genetic material that is capable of changing its location in the genome or in some bacteria of undergoing transfer between an extrachromosomal plasmid and a chromosome

Elements (phrase)

  1. to go out in bad weather

Elements (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. general or basic truths on which other truths or theories can be based

    "the elements of mathematics can be traced back to Euclid"

    similar: ABC(s), alphabet, basics, essentials, fundamentals, grammar, principles, rudiments
    related: basis, bedrock, cornerstone, foundation, groundwork, keystone, underpinning, nitty-gritty, belief, canon, doctrine, dogma, faith, philosophy, axiom, law, precept, tenet, rule, standard, theorem
    near: details, trivia

Related Entry: Element (noun)

Element is a different word from Elements. The synonyms below are for element, not for elements.

  1. one of the parts that make up a whole

    "a free press is an essential element of a democracy"

    similar: building block, component, constituent, factor, ingredient, member
    related: basis, part and parcel, detail, item, particular, point, aspect, characteristic, facet, feature, trait, division, fragment, particle, partition, piece, portion, section, sector, segment, subcomponent
    opposite: whole
    near: aggregate, composite, compound, mass, entirety, sum, summation, total, totality, admixture, amalgam, amalgamation, blend, combination, intermixture, mix, mixture

  2. general or basic truths on which other truths or theories can be based

    "the elements of mathematics can be traced back to Euclid"

    similar: ABC(s), alphabet, basics, essentials, fundamentals, grammar, principles, rudiments
    related: basis, bedrock, cornerstone, foundation, groundwork, keystone, underpinning, nitty-gritty, belief, canon, doctrine, dogma, faith, philosophy, axiom, law, precept, tenet, rule, standard, theorem
    near: details, trivia

  3. a region of activity, knowledge, or influence

    "she felt a bit out of her element in the mathematics section of the exam"

    similar: area, arena, bailiwick, barony, business, circle, demesne, department, discipline, domain, fief, fiefdom, field, firmament, front, game, kingdom, line, precinct, province, realm, specialty, sphere, terrain, walk
    related: frontier, study, subject, territory, turf, occupation, profession, pursuit, racket, vocation, ambit, amplitude, breadth, compass, confine, dimension(s), extent, ken, reach, scope, sweep, width, subfield, subspecialty

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Elements

The most common words with a similar meaning to Elements:

ABC(s), alphabet, basics, essentials, fundamentals, grammar, principles, rudiments

Related Words for Elements

basis, bedrock, cornerstone, foundation, groundwork, keystone, underpinning, nitty-gritty, belief, canon, doctrine, dogma, faith, philosophy, axiom, law, precept, tenet, rule, standard, theorem

Near Antonyms of Elements

details, trivia

Origin & Etymology of Elements

Middle English, from Anglo-French & Latin; Anglo-French, from Latin elementum

First known use: 13th century

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Elements

Words & Phrases Containing Elements

brave the elements

Frequently Asked Questions about Elements

What does "Elements" mean?

"Elements" means any of the four substances air, water, fire, and earth formerly believed to compose the physical universe. As an a noun and a phrase, it is defined as: any of the four substances air, water, fire, and earth formerly believed to compose the physical universe.

What is another word for "Elements"?

Other words for "Elements" include ABC(s), alphabet, basics, essentials, fundamentals, grammar, principles and rudiments. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Elements" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Elements"?

There are 29 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Elements". Common alternatives include ABC(s), alphabet, basics, essentials, fundamentals, grammar, principles and rudiments.

How do you use "Elements" in a sentence?

Examples of "Elements" in a sentence: "the elements of mathematics can be traced back to Euclid".

Is "Elements" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Elements" can be used as a noun and a phrase, depending on the context.

Is "Elements" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

It is on the Academic Word List, so it appears often in IELTS Academic, TOEFL iBT, PTE Academic, and university texts.

How do you pronounce "Elements"?

"Elements" is pronounced /ˈe-lə-mənt/ and divided into syllables as el·e·ment.

What is the origin of the word "Elements"?

"Elements" comes from Middle English, from Anglo-French & Latin; Anglo-French, from Latin elementum. First known use: 13th century.