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.
Your children do not own the assets directly, and it’s basically treated as income/pocket money for them to spend in ways that the trustee approves.
From MarketWatch • Jun. 23, 2026
The Mag 7 ETF, at just over $64, is basically flat in the past week-and-a-half.
From Barron's • Jun. 22, 2026
Your book basically tells us to stop repeating these talking points, not just because they’re untrue, but because this is mostly a labor issue, not an intelligence or creativity issue.
From Salon • Jun. 22, 2026
Higher levels of carbon make water look brown because it’s basically dissolved plant matter that stains the water like tea leaves would.
From Science Daily • Jun. 21, 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.
