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.
“What you have is basically a bunch of people who feel a bit under siege,” said Bob Olinksy, the senior vice president of Structural Reform and Governance at the Center for American Progress.
From Los Angeles Times • May 22, 2026
In an unusual move, the University of Michigan put out another press release on Friday basically defending its survey.
From MarketWatch • May 22, 2026
“In the age of AI, if you don’t have the right talent and the right technology, basically you’re going to become irrelevant very soon,” Sadoun said.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 18, 2026
Postal Service and Social Security Administration basically said they were still figuring out what the order means for them.
From Salon • May 16, 2026
He helps people for a living, so it’s basically his responsibility to help Mom.
From "The Science of Breakable Things" by Tae Keller
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.
