basically

adverb

ba·​si·​cal·​ly ˈbā-si-k(ə-)lē How to pronounce basically (audio)
 also  -zi-
1
a
: at a basic level : in fundamental disposition or nature
basically correct
basically, they are simple people
b
: for the most part
they basically play zone defense
2
: in a basic manner : simply
live basically

Examples of basically in a Sentence

your answer is basically correct
Recent Examples on the Web The catch: Capturing worthwhile images of basically anything in space with a phone can be tricky, especially when your subject is a massive, incandescent ball of gas. William Neff, Washington Post, 24 Mar. 2024 Will Carless: The Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs basically took it upon themselves to do this. Taylor Wilson, USA TODAY, 22 Mar. 2024 That basically defined the entirety of my cultural upbringing as a teenager. Brian Davids, The Hollywood Reporter, 21 Mar. 2024 In that game, the Sharks basically stopped playing with about seven or eight minutes to go, something Quinn addressed before Thursday’s game. Curtis Pashelka, The Mercury News, 21 Mar. 2024 My colleague David Gilbert published a profile of Stephen Richer, the Republican Maricopa County Recorder, whose X account is basically dedicated to debunking election conspiracies in Arizona. Makena Kelly, WIRED, 21 Mar. 2024 On December 18th, the Knesset amended the law, basically eroding all the minimal procedural safeguards that were there in the first place. Isaac Chotiner, The New Yorker, 21 Mar. 2024 Those are basically a coin flip — and the outcomes are off in the distance, as those cases wind their way through the legal system. Gaby Del Valle, The Verge, 21 Mar. 2024 This week's 'Deal or No Deal Island' challenge was basically bags mixed with bungee jumping and shuffleboard Bags meets bungee jumping meets shuffleboard. Journal Sentinel, 12 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'basically.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1863, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of basically was in 1863

Dictionary Entries Near basically

Cite this Entry

“Basically.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/basically. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

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