basically

American  

[bey-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.”

---

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

---

Other Word Forms

• quasi-basically adverb

Etymology

Origin of basically

First recorded in 1900–05; basic + -ally

Example Sentences

“We see those prices change basically on a daily basis, as it’s changing in the world market,” said Million.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 21, 2026

At the Citrosuco plant in Polk County—which flew the Brazilian flag alongside the red, white, and blue—and at the Cutrale sites and even at Florida-based Peace River, it was basically Florida in name only.

From Slate • Apr. 20, 2026

"It was basically like Croatia, but cheaper," she says.

From BBC • Apr. 18, 2026

Since then, it has been “years of basically nonstop sending systems, upgrading systems, getting feedback from the field,” he said of putting the company’s drones to work in Ukraine.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 17, 2026

The kiddie “pool” is basically a large puddle on a slab of concrete.

From "South of Somewhere" by Kalena Miller

Related Words

• essentially
• mostly