First recorded in 1925–30
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Translation into Basic English sometimes results in a stilted foreignness.
From Time Magazine Archive
Its most eloquent sponsor asked that Basic English be spread worldwide by British propaganda, diplomatic and commercial agents.
From Time Magazine Archive
If this story is not interesting writing, it is because it is in Basic English.
From Time Magazine Archive
Recently Basic English has impressed some linguists with its aptness for this role.
From Time Magazine Archive
You say the letter accompanying the first deposit, the one in Basic English, was apparently taken away by Kettle-Belly Sam Bonney.
From Lone Star Planet by H. Beam Piper
He speaks basic English and has considered going to Canada, but friends told him it’s difficult as well to obtain asylum there.
From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 7, 2025
The training included technical language training, as the usual basic English level was insufficient, he said.
From Reuters ● Aug. 19, 2023
Students leaving some of these schools are nonfunctional even in basic English, math and science.
From Washington Post ● Jan. 5, 2023
Cesar could still not speak English - "I used to carry a little dictionary in my pocket," he says - and so began a basic English course at Ambassador House in Thornton Heath.
From BBC ● Aug. 23, 2021
NM: Word list of basic English, updating of all tables & census material. © 12Sep44; A182825.
From U.S. Copyright Renewals, 1971 July - December by Library of Congress. Copyright Office
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
