basically
Americanadverb
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in a way that involves or affects the fundamental character or condition.
The building needs a few repairs, but is basically sound.
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as a recap of the main point or idea; if put simply or briefly.
Basically, her advice boils down to “Eat a sensible, balanced diet, and relax.”
adverb
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in a fundamental or elementary manner; essentially
strident and basically unpleasant
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(sentence modifier) in essence; in summary; put simply
basically we had underestimated mother nature
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of basically
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
"The pantry basically keeps us going", said a pantry member who did not want to be named.
From BBC ● Sep. 17, 2026
“A lot of parents basically didn’t want their kids eating processed foods,” said Sattar.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 16, 2026
“You cannot have recursive self-improving AI that basically is able to improve itself and exceed human capability.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 13, 2026
Most of the vehicles currently on the road, even those generating revenue, are still basically prototypes, he added.
From MarketWatch ● Sep. 11, 2026
When he doesn’t respond, I say, “I know we’re basically strangers, but you gotta trust me. Please?”
From "The Manifestor Prophecy" by Angie Thomas
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.
