rudimentary
/ˌɹuːdɪˈmɛntəɹi/
Group 10Difficulty 1/3
Definition
- (adjective)
- Involving or limited to basic principles; relating to an immature, undeveloped, or basic form GRE
Example in Context
The field hospital offered only rudimentary medical care, but in the crisis conditions it served as a lifeline for hundreds of patients.
Synonyms
basicsimpleelementary
Etymology
Pertaining to the basic, undeveloped stages of something.
- rudimentum (Latin) — first principles
Memory Aid
👨👦Sounds like “rude men terry”
A group of RUDE MEN named TERRY trying to build a treehouse with only a stick and a paperclip — just RUDIMENTARY!
Visual Association
🛠️A child attempting to build a Lego tower with just two blocks — clearly rudimentary construction!
Semantic Clusters
Synonym Groups
Frequently Asked Questions
What does “rudimentary” mean on the GRE?
rudimentary (adjective) means “Involving or limited to basic principles; relating to an immature, undeveloped, or basic form”. The field hospital offered only rudimentary medical care, but in the crisis conditions it served as a lifeline for hundreds of patients.
How to remember “rudimentary” for the GRE?
Mnemonic: “rudimentary” sounds like “rude men terry”. A group of RUDE MEN named TERRY trying to build a treehouse with only a stick and a paperclip — just RUDIMENTARY!
What are synonyms for “rudimentary”?
Common synonyms: basic, simple, elementary.