How to Use basic in a Sentence

basic

1 of 2 adjective
  • She lacks even the most basic skills necessary for the job.
  • In this class, you will learn the basic principles of chemistry.
  • That's just the basic salary without overtime or tips.
  • The basic difference between the two companies is their size.
  • At its most basic level, the book is about a father's relationship with his children.
  • The motel is comfortable but pretty basic: you get the necessities all right, but no luxuries.
  • But there are basic canned and dried goods, snacks and frozen foods.
    Jenn Harris, Los Angeles Times, 15 Apr. 2024
  • The current basic rate of income tax in the UK is 20 pence per pound.
    Suzi Ring, Bloomberg.com, 4 June 2023
  • Here’s some basic step-count math: 1,000 steps is about half a mile.
    Gretchen Reynolds, Anchorage Daily News, 8 June 2023
  • So the first step is teaching your child how to use a pad, when to change it, and basic hygiene.
    Ellen Sturm Niz, Parents, 6 June 2023
  • This is far less than what the costs of covering basic needs are.
    Andrea Flynn, STAT, 7 July 2023
  • The basic fighting forces that Russia have in Ukraine haven't changed.
    Nbc Universal, NBC News, 25 June 2023
  • How to Use a Can Opener What is the correct way to use a basic can opener?
    Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 27 Feb. 2024
  • The basic approach is to copy something, to sketch something out.
    Billboard Japan, Billboard, 27 Nov. 2023
  • These are very basic things that most moral people that want to obey the law are following.
    Kayla Dwyer, The Indianapolis Star, 10 Jan. 2024
  • The streaming service can then be purchased for $4.99 monthly for the most basic plan.
    oregonlive, 15 June 2023
  • The basic principle is to get hot blood near the skin, where heat can dissipate in a number of ways.
    Dhruv Khullar, The New Yorker, 25 Aug. 2023
  • That the people who come to these pieces will, in large measure, agree with their basic framework to begin with.
    David Remnick, The New Yorker, 21 Jan. 2024
  • It’s got basic features that line up with its budget price point.
    Rennie Dyball, Peoplemag, 19 Sep. 2023
  • There are three basic types: lightweight, standard and fast-set.
    Jeanne Huber, Washington Post, 8 Mar. 2024
  • Cute hair accessories—bun cuffs, pins, and headbands—are the quickest way to ramp up the style of a basic messy bun in seconds.
    Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 2 Feb. 2024
  • Finding basic facts – even the status of the case – is like, well, like finding a body in a Walker County coal mine.
    John Archibald | Jarchibald@al.com, al, 21 July 2023
  • Also on a basic level, this expands your mind and the realm of what is possible.
    Demetrius Patterson, The Hollywood Reporter, 27 June 2023
  • For a lesson in how to master the basic technique, The Tapping Solution has a good step-by-step guide.
    Georgia Day, Glamour, 8 Mar. 2024
  • Valle Central, Chile, $15 Soft and round, with flavors of peach and a hint of sweetness on the finish, this is basic, good chardonnay.
    Dave McIntyre, Washington Post, 21 Mar. 2024
  • Focus on basic gear like a stroller, car seat and carrier.
    Suzanne Nuyen, NPR, 8 Mar. 2024
  • Then, some basic black leggings that complete any wardrobe as the style can save you for traveling as well.
    Lorena Meouchi, Glamour, 22 Dec. 2023
  • Some maybe need some basic assistance, and that is where MusiCares comes to their need.
    Ethan Millman, Rolling Stone, 3 Feb. 2024
  • But many experts think the basic shape of the law is unlikely to change too radically.
    Jeremy Kahn, Fortune, 20 June 2023
  • Not even babies are authentic, which is a very simple and basic thing.
    Chris Gardner, The Hollywood Reporter, 26 Feb. 2024
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basic

2 of 2 noun
  • He starts basic in two months.
  • He's teaching me the basics of Japanese cooking.
  • The high school girls helped guide her through the sport’s basics.
    Sam Cohn, Baltimore Sun, 3 July 2023
  • Teachers sort of teach the basics, the parents want to be able to teach the life skills and some of the moral code.
    Kayla Dwyer, The Indianapolis Star, 10 Jan. 2024
  • Get back to the basics of pie baking with this old-school tool.
    Patricia S York, Southern Living, 15 Sep. 2023
  • It’s equipped with the basics — a sink, toilet and shower.
    Natalia Senanayake, Peoplemag, 23 Feb. 2024
  • Bring spices and pantry basics, and shop for local fare.
    Southern Living Editors, Southern Living, 10 Oct. 2023
  • Get to know the basics of bedding before shopping to choose the right style.
    Grace Haynes, Southern Living, 2 Aug. 2023
  • As the album pared down to the basics, Swift embraced her acoustic roots.
    Genevieve Cepeda, Peoplemag, 12 Oct. 2023
  • Book a lesson at one of the lakeside windsurfing schools to get the basics.
    Brittany Loggins, Women's Health, 23 June 2023
  • From brands like Coach and Levi’s to Reebok and Chaco, this is the best place to start for investing in spring basics.
    Merrell Readman, Travel + Leisure, 23 Mar. 2024
  • Check out this list of hearty recipes that cover all the basics for the best, hot sides that will take your barbeque to the next level.
    USA TODAY, 30 June 2023
  • And even the staidest basics can make a statement when worn correctly.
    Max Berlinger, Robb Report, 19 Aug. 2023
  • Shoppers looking for price breaks on basics may have to wait.
    Heather Haddon, wsj.com, 25 Apr. 2023
  • Her husband, meanwhile, stuck to basics with a striped tee, jeans, and a baseball cap.
    Kathleen Walsh, Glamour, 20 Sep. 2023
  • Palestinians are in need of the basics and Israel won’t allow those needs to be met.
    Adam Taylor, Washington Post, 13 Dec. 2023
  • Dancing with the Stars' Jenna Johnson, who worked with Gosling for two weeks to go over some dance basics for the film, praised his skills.
    Alexandra Schonfeld, Peoplemag, 10 Mar. 2024
  • In general, keep the focus on the exciting parts rather than the basics.
    Audrey Bruno, SELF, 11 Dec. 2023
  • Anyone due for a basics overhaul knows that an Everlane sale is the best place to start.
    Talia Abbas, Glamour, 31 Aug. 2023
  • After high school, a one-year filmmaking course called MAPS taught them the basics.
    Vulture, 17 July 2023
  • But this thought about going back to 1948 really goes to the basics: the Zionist view is that the Arabs want to destroy the Jewish state.
    Stuart Miller, Los Angeles Times, 27 Nov. 2023
  • The Times explains some basics about drug cited in Matthew Perry’s death.
    Ryan Fonseca, Los Angeles Times, 18 Dec. 2023
  • There are also a number of basics on sale, including white socks for $13 and a Puma sports bra for $23.
    Amy Schulman, Peoplemag, 22 Mar. 2024
  • Here are the basics: Q: Why are Yosemite officials doing this?
    Paul Rogers, The Mercury News, 9 Apr. 2024
  • In his belief that the basics are enough, your partner could wind up being the better prepared of the two of you for meeting the unique needs of your child.
    Carolyn Hax, Washington Post, 22 Sep. 2023
  • But the basics are, number one, do your homework and find out who’s who, because there are some very charming crooks.
    Jem Aswad, Variety, 5 Dec. 2023
  • Get back to the basics by getting enough sleep and exercise, and fueling your body.
    Quora, Forbes, 13 Nov. 2023
  • Lean into the look with sleek basics like Reformation’s stretchy heeled boot and Chloe’s smart leather bomber.
    Christina Holevas, Vogue, 21 Dec. 2023
  • Amid scrutiny of the city’s attendance figures, there has been a push to embrace the basics.
    Lauren Lumpkin, Washington Post, 20 Dec. 2023
  • The idea for lower-income households is to free up cash for food, rent and other basics for daily life.
    Susan Tompor, Detroit Free Press, 14 Aug. 2023

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

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