Element ˈelɪmənt Extra Examples Important Key Part Chemical

• there are three important elements to consider.
• an essential/a crucial/a critical element
• cost was a key element in our decision.
• the story has all the elements of a soap opera.

element

1. a necessary or typical part of something; one of several parts that something contains
• There are three important elements to consider.
• an essential/a crucial/a critical element
• Cost was a key element in our decision.
• The story has all the elements of a soap opera.
• Police say there may have been a racial element to the attacks.
• The architects were instructed to incorporate elements from the older building.

Extra Examples

• This concept combines elements of a theme park with digital interactive games.
• He introduced new elements to the show such as live music.
• Customer relations is an important element of the job.
• the narrative and decorative elements in Pop art
• Practical work will form a major element of the syllabus.
• The promise of tax cuts became the dominant element in the campaign.
• This constitutes one of the key elements in their reform package.
• the disparate elements brought together in these paintings
• User participation is a basic element in our design process.
• The most striking design element of the atrium is the circular stair that turns 180 degrees between floors.
• There is one significant element missing.
2. a small amount of a quality or feeling
• We need to preserve the element of surprise.
• These rumours do contain an element of truth.
• All outdoor activities carry an element of risk.
• Adding an element of fun for the kids entices them to eat foods that are actually good for them.

Extra Examples

• There appears to be an element of truth in his story.
• There is a considerable element of danger in her job.
• There may have been an element of jealousy in her response.
• There is often an element of luck involved in doing exams.
• an offbeat theatrical production that combines elements of fantasy and satire
3. a simple chemical substance that consists of atoms of only one type and cannot be split by chemical means into a simpler substance. Gold, oxygen and carbon are all elements.
• COMPARE compound
  https://www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com/definition/english/compound_2
• All chemical substances, whether elements, compounds or mixtures, are made up of three types of particles.
• the constituent elements of the universe
• Different atoms of the same element are called isotopes.
4. one of the four substances: earth, air, fire and water, which people used to believe everything else was made of
5. the weather, especially bad weather
• Are we going to brave the elements and go for a walk?
• The place was completely exposed to the elements.

Extra Examples

• He told us stories of how he had battled the elements on his mountaineering trips.
• I put on my thick coat ready to brave the elements.
6. the basic principles of a subject that you have to learn first
• SYNONYM basics
  https://www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com/definition/english/basics
• He taught me the elements of map-reading.
7. a group of people who form a part of a larger group or society
• moderate/radical elements within the party
• unruly elements in the school

Extra Examples

• These ideas are not just the province of a fringe element in the party.
• There is too much of a competitive element in the sales department.
8. a natural or suitable environment, especially for an animal
• Water is a fish's natural element.
9. the part of a piece of electrical equipment that gives out heat
• The water heater has electric heating elements submerged in a storage tank.
10. doing what you are good at and enjoy
• She's really in her element at parties.
11. in a situation that you are not used to and that makes you feel uncomfortable
• I feel out of my element talking about politics.

Word Origin

• Middle English (denoting fundamental constituents of the world or celestial objects): via Old French from Latin elementum ‘principle, rudiment’, translating Greek stoikheion ‘step, component part’.