rudimentary

/ˌˈrudəˌmɛntəri/

/rudɪˈmɛntri/

Other forms: rudimentarily

Rudimentary means basic, or at a very early stage. The test should be easy: it requires only a rudimentary understanding of the materials.

The word rude means simple or offensive — and people with only rudimentary understanding of good manners might not know how that belching is rude. If you remember that the word rude is the foundation of rudimentary, you'll have a rudimentary understanding of the word.

Definitions of rudimentary

1. adjective

   being in the earliest stages of development
   “rudimentary plans”

   synonyms:

   incomplete, uncomplete

   not complete or total; not completed
2. adjective

   not fully developed in mature animals
   “rudimentary wings”

   synonyms: vestigial

   undeveloped

   not developed
3. adjective

   being or involving basic facts or principles
   “these rudimentary truths”

   synonyms: foundational, fundamental, underlying

   basic

   pertaining to or constituting a base or basis