rudimentary

[ roo-duh-men-tuh-ree, -tree ]

adjective

1. pertaining to rudiments or first principles; elementary:

   a rudimentary knowledge of geometry.

   Synonyms: initial, fundamental

   Antonyms: advanced

2. Biology. of the nature of a rudiment; undeveloped or vestigial.

   Synonyms: embryonic

   Antonyms: mature

3. in an early, imperfect stage or form:

   How can we improve upon this admittedly rudimentary theory?

rudimentary

/ ˌruːdɪˈmɛntərɪ /

adjective

1. basic; fundamental; not elaborated or perfected
2. incompletely developed; vestigial

   rudimentary leaves

Derived Forms

• ˌrudiˈmentarily, adverb

Other Words From

• ru·di·men·ta·ri·ly [roo-d, uh, -men-, tair, -, uh, -lee, -, men, -ter-, uh, -lee], adverb
• rudi·menta·ri·ness noun
• nonru·di·mental adjective
• nonru·di·menta·ri·ly adverb
• nonru·di·menta·ri·lyness noun
• nonru·di·menta·ry adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of rudimentary¹

First recorded in 1600–20; rudiment + -ary

Synonym Study

See elementary.

Example Sentences

He says his team built a rudimentary moderation tool, based on the chatbot’s tech, which managed to identify harmful content with an accuracy rate of around 90%.

From BBC

Despite his belief that what he’s imparting is radical or insightful, his claims are banal, his methods rudimentary, even the revelations about his intentions all too predictable.

From Los Angeles Times

To pass the time, the wealthy couple began throwing a ball at a wall and Viviana quickly fell in love with the rudimentary version of the game.

From BBC

It was a more rudimentary system in the past, requiring him to arrange a bouquet of antennas, often mounted off the edge of the press box.

From Los Angeles Times

Khaled is determined that these sessions will go ahead using the rudimentary structures and arenas they have begun to rebuild.

From BBC

Related Words

• elemental
• elementary
• embryonic
• primitive
• simple