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.
He basically started with his emergence from the birth canal.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 7, 2026
"We have a beautiful garden, and I would plant it in May or June, and basically walk away until October," Sandra Marquardt said of the mosquito issue.
From Barron's ● Aug. 7, 2026
There was still a humanitarian emergency and disturbances to public order in the territory, he said, while it was "basically impossible" to return the minors who had crossed because this required their consent.
From BBC ● Aug. 6, 2026
For a guy who works from a swivel chair, I’m basically function-maxxing already.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 4, 2026
She nods and basically finishes my sentence for me.
From "The Wrong Way Home" by Kate O’Shaughnessy
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.
