basically

American  

[bay-sik-lee] / ˈbeɪ sɪk li /

adverb

1. in a way that involves or affects the fundamental character or condition.

   The building needs a few repairs, but is basically sound.

2. 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.”

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basically British  

/ ˈbeɪsɪklɪ /

adverb

1. in a fundamental or elementary manner; essentially

   strident and basically unpleasant

2. (sentence modifier) in essence; in summary; put simply

   basically we had underestimated mother nature

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Other Word Forms

• quasi-basically
  adverb

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Etymology

Origin of basically

First recorded in 1900–05; basic + -ally

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

basically

This has been a long dream of the administration and people associated with the administration, and it’s taken them basically a decade in order to act on it.

From Slate ● Oct. 29, 2026

“That basically means every single penny I’ve been making in extra payments is going to go toward interest,” he said.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 28, 2026

"Generative AI has basically disrupted the whole scientific process," says Dalmeet Singh Chawla, a science journalist who has spent a decade reporting on research misconduct.

From BBC ● Oct. 28, 2026

That visceral hissing is basically the only thing not present at the Oschin Center.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 28, 2026

Decades later, the great Michelangelo runs into Leonardo in Florence and basically says exactly that.

From "The Mona Lisa Vanishes" by Nicholas Day

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Related Words

• essentially
• mostly

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