basic

[ bey-sik ]

/ ˈbeɪ sɪk /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR basic ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective

of, relating to, or forming a base; fundamental: a basic principle; the basic ingredient.

Chemistry.

pertaining to, of the nature of, or containing a base.
not having all of the hydroxyls of the base replaced by the acid group, or having the metal or its equivalent united partly to the acid group and partly to oxygen.
alkaline.

Metallurgy. noting, pertaining to, or made by a steelmaking process (basic process) in which the furnace or converter is lined with a basic or nonsiliceous material, mainly burned magnesite and a small amount of ground basic slag, to remove impurities from the steel.Compare acid(def 9).

Geology. (of a rock) having relatively little silica.

Military.

primary: basic training.
of lowest rank: airman basic.

Slang.

(especially of a female) characterized by predictable or unoriginal style, interests, or behavior: those basic girls who follow trends.
(of things) boringly predictable or unoriginal: His lyrics are just so basic.

noun

Military.

basic training.
a soldier or airman receiving basic training.

Often basics. something that is fundamental or basic; an essential ingredient, principle, procedure, etc.: to learn the basics of music; to get back to basics.

Slang. a person, especially a female, who is boringly predictable or unoriginal.

Nearby words

Origin of basic

First recorded in 1835–45; base¹ + -ic

SYNONYMS FOR basic

1 elementary, essential, key, primary; basal; underlying.

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR basic ON THESAURUS.COM

Related formsnon·ba·sic, adjectivequa·si-ba·sic, adjective

Can be confusedbasic BASIC

Definition for basic (2 of 2)

BASIC

[ bey-sik ]

/ ˈbeɪ sɪk /

noun Computers.

a widely adopted programming language that uses English words, punctuation marks, and algebraic notation to facilitate communication between the operator or lay user and the computer.

Origin of BASIC

1965–70; B(eginner's) A(ll-purpose) S(ymbolic) I(nstruction) C(ode)

Can be confusedbasic BASIC

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for basic

Nothing in it was meant to change the basic operations of the capitalist economy or to intervene aggressively in class relations.
Thank Congress, Not LBJ for Great Society|Julian Zelizer, Scott Porch|January 4, 2015|DAILY BEAST
He challenged the very core of the Iranian theocracy and demanded respect for basic human rights.
Behind Bars for the Holidays: 11 Political Prisoners We Want to See Free In 2015|Movements.Org|December 25, 2014|DAILY BEAST
As more people come online, the most basic tasks—such as going out to the market to sell produce—will become more efficient.
Silicon Valley Sets Its Sights on Africa|Christian Borys|December 22, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Everyone is entitled to be treated with basic decency and respect.
The GOP’s Hidden Ban on Prison Abortions|Harold Pollack|December 13, 2014|DAILY BEAST

The three basic ways for prisoners to die are old age, disease or violently.
A Million Ways to Die in Prison|Daniel Genis|December 8, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Typical recipes will be given showing what basic dyes are available and how they can be combined together.
The Dyeing of Cotton Fabrics|Franklin Beech
These basic principles are clearly stated and illustrated with simple diagrams.
Aviation Engines|Victor Wilfred Pag
Malcom Porter was interested in "basic research" and not much else, it seemed.
By Proxy|Gordon Randall Garrett
The latter was augmented by loans available to countries to defray the rising costs of basic edibles and foodstuffs (cereals).
After the Rain|Sam Vaknin
These basic stains have been located in their proper positions with regard to their hue, value, and chroma.
Industrial Arts Design|William H. Varnum

British Dictionary definitions for basic (1 of 2)

basic

/ (ˈbeɪsɪk) /

adjective

of, relating to, or forming a base or basis; fundamental; underlying

elementary or simplea few basic facts

excluding additions or extrasbasic pay

chem

of, denoting, or containing a base; alkaline
(of a salt) containing hydroxyl or oxide groups not all of which have been replaced by an acid radicalbasic lead carbonate, 2PbCO 3 .Pb ( OH ) 2

metallurgy of, concerned with, or made by a process in which the furnace or converter is made of a basic material, such as magnesium oxide

(of such igneous rocks as basalt) containing between 52 and 45 per cent silica

military primary or initialbasic training

noun

(usually plural) a fundamental principle, fact, etc

British Dictionary definitions for basic (2 of 2)

BASIC

Basic

/ (ˈbeɪsɪk) /

noun

a computer programming language that uses common English terms

Word Origin for BASIC

C20: acronym of b (eginner's) a (ll-purpose) s (ymbolic) i (nstruction) c (ode)

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for basic (1 of 2)

basic

adj.

1832, originally in chemistry, from base (n.) + -ic.

Word Origin and History for basic (1 of 2)

BASIC

computer language, 1964, initialism for Beginners' All-purpose Symbolic Instruction Code; invented by Hungarian-born U.S. computer scientist John G. Kemeny (1926-1992) and U.S. computer scientist Thomas E. Kurtz (b.1928).

Medicine definitions for basic

basic

[ bā′sĭk ]

adj.

Of, being, or serving as a starting point or basis.

Producing, resulting from, or relating to a base.

Containing a base, especially in excess of acid.

Containing oxide or hydroxide anions.

Science definitions for basic

BASIC

[ bā′sĭk ]

A simple programming language developed in the 1960s that is widely taught to students as a first programming language.

basic

adjective

noun

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Nearby words

Origin of basic

Definition for basic (2 of 2)

BASIC

noun Computers.

Origin of BASIC

Examples from the Web for basic

British Dictionary definitions for basic (1 of 2)

basic

adjective

noun

British Dictionary definitions for basic (2 of 2)

BASIC

Basic

noun

Word Origin for BASIC

Word Origin and History for basic (1 of 2)

basic

Word Origin and History for basic (1 of 2)

BASIC

Medicine definitions for basic

basic

adj.

Science definitions for basic

BASIC