Meaning & use
element
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Meanings
nouncountable
One basic or necessary part of something larger.
Grammar: Often element of.
Patterns
- an element of something
- a key element
Trust is a key element of friendship.
The story has an element of mystery.
Each element of the plan matters.
nouncountablechemistry
A pure substance made of only one type of atom.
Grammar: Chemistry.
Oxygen is an element.
Iron and gold are elements.
nounsingular
A small amount of a quality.
Grammar: With an: an element of truth.
Patterns
- an element of truth
There's an element of truth in that.
The joke had an element of cruelty.
nouncountable
The heating part of an appliance.
Grammar: Household.
The kettle's element broke.
Replace the oven element.
nouncountable
A person or group within a bigger group.
Grammar: Often with adjectives like criminal.
A violent element joined the crowd.
Some elements of the party disagreed.
nounusually plural
Natural forces such as wind and rain.
Grammar: The elements.
Patterns
- brave the elements
Hikers braved the elements.
The hut offered shelter from the elements.
Word forms
| plural | elements |
|---|
Common combinations
- key element
- Planning is a key element.
- in your element
- She's in her element on stage.
- element of surprise
- We had the element of surprise.
- chemical element
- Carbon is a chemical element.
Synonyms and how they differ
- component
- A part of a machine or system.
- factor
- Something that influences a result.
- ingredient
- Part of a mix.
- aspect
- A way of seeing something.
Opposites
Word family
- elemental adjective
- basic or natural
- elementary adjective
- simple or basic
Commonly confused: element or elemental?
element vs elemental
Elemental means basic or like natural forces.
Practice
Hydrogen is an ___ because it contains only one kind of atom.
Choose one answer.
An element is made of one type of atom. A compound has different atoms.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “element”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.