basic

adjective ba·sic \ ˈbā-sik also -zik \

Definition of basic

1 a :of, relating to, or forming the base or essence :fundamental

basic truths

b :concerned with fundamental scientific principles :not applied

basic research

2 :constituting or serving as the basis or starting point

a basic set of tools

3 a :of, relating to, containing, or having the character of a chemical base

b :having an alkaline reaction

4 :containing relatively little silica

basic rocks

5 :relating to, made by, used in, or being a process of making steel done in a furnace lined with basic material and under basic slag

—

basicity

play \bā-ˈsi-sə-tē\ noun

See basic defined for English-language learners

See basic defined for kids

Examples of basic in a Sentence

In this class, you will learn the basic principles of chemistry.
At its most basic level, the book is about a father's relationship with his children.
The basic difference between the two companies is their size.
rights that are basic to all human beings
basic reading, writing, and mathematics
She lacks even the most basic skills necessary for the job.
That's just the basic salary without overtime or tips.
The motel is comfortable but pretty basic: you get the necessities all right, but no luxuries.

Recent Examples of basic from the Web

The story might be important, but basic humanity and empathy will go further.

— christina coleman, Essence.com, "Harvey Survivor Who Criticized CNN Anchor Isn't Just 'Upset,' She's Traumatized And Exhausted," 30 Aug. 2017
Specifics, including such basic matters as where to set the corporate tax rate and how to set up individual tax brackets, have yet to emerge.

— alexis leondis, Bloomberg.com, "Mnuchin Says He Was ‘Wrong’ About a Tax Overhaul by August," 25 Aug. 2017
Sheryl Crow and Jennifer Aniston always seem to keep their look basic, classic and effortless.

— kirby adams, The Courier-Journal, "This Southern Indiana designer has a little giddy up in her step," 24 Aug. 2017
This is why the basic description in U.S. writings is that strategy is the product of an analysis of Ends, Ways, and Means.

— robert bateman, Esquire, "Where's the Strategy?," 23 Aug. 2017
A post shared by Lydia (@lydiaemillen) on Aug 16, 2016 at 2:32pm PDT A printed, thin scarf is a great way to add interest to an otherwise basic outfit.

— kaitlin menza, Redbook, "11 Fun, Fresh Ways to Wear a Scarf," 22 Aug. 2017
But the real problem with CIEP, contend some critics, is more basic.

— gemma tarlach, Discover Magazine, "Proteomics: Moving Beyond DNA to Study the Past," 15 Aug. 2017
Though the basic format was No. 1 offense vs. No. 2 defense, and No. 1 defense vs. No.

— susan miller degnan, miamiherald, "Quarterback quandary at ‘The U’ as first scrimmage in the books," 12 Aug. 2017
Some economists estimate that a single parent with one child would need to earn about $22 an hour, working full-time, to pay basic living expenses in Kansas City.

— diane stafford, kansascity, "Rally kicks off effort to raise Missouri’s minimum wage," 8 Aug. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'basic.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of basic

¹base + ¹-ic

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1842

See Words from the same year

basic Synonyms

Synonyms

abecedarian, basal, elementary, beginning, elemental, essential, fundamental, introductory, meat-and-potatoes, rudimental, rudimentary, underlying

Antonyms

advanced

Related Words

primal, primary, prime, simple; crude, primeval, primitive, primordial, rude, uncomplicated; preliminary, preparatory; crucial, important, key

Near Antonyms

complex, sophisticated; complicated, convoluted, detailed, elaborate, extensive, intricate; developed, evolved, high, higher, refined

basic

noun

Definition of basic

1 :something that is basic :fundamental

get back to basics

2 :basic training

See basic defined for English-language learners

Examples of basic in a Sentence

He's teaching me the basics of Japanese cooking.
He starts basic in two months.

Recent Examples of basic from the Web

Mr. McConnell has made sharper comments in private, describing Mr. Trump as entirely unwilling to learn the basics of governing.

— tina nguyen, The Hive, "Why Trump’s War on McConnell Could Imperil His Presidency," 23 Aug. 2017
SCORE L.A. offers many workshops on a variety of topics including buying into a franchise as well as social media and Internet marketing basics.

— mark kellam, Glendale News-Press, "SCORE L.A. is in the business of helping start new businesses," 18 Aug. 2017
Ages 10 and up can learn the basics of canoeing (equipment provided) at 9:30 a.m. at the Okeeheelee Nature Center, 7715 Forest Hill Blvd.

— jennifer jhon, South Florida Parenting, "Best fun for kids this weekend: YMCA water days, Florida Supercon," 26 July 2017
Peter Safar, an Austrian doctor had recently developed the basics of CPR.

— elaine sciolino, The Seattle Times, "At a family workshop near Paris, the ‘drowned Mona Lisa’ death mask lives on," 20 July 2017
Campers will learn some artistic basics and apply them in unique and fun ways.

— Naperville Sun, "Kids' camps being offered at Naper Settlement," 24 June 2017
Participants will learn the basics of choosing healthy foods and cooking affordable meals.

— Post-Tribune, "Community calendar," 24 June 2017
Doctors learn only the basics of other diseases because specialized medicines and equipment — chemotherapy for cancer, for example — simply aren’t available.

— michelle w., Longreads, "Reunification Will Have to Bridge the DMZ and Massive Technological Gaps," 23 June 2017
Love Contours All (how to define your features), Makeup 101 (how to nail the basics), and Glow Getter (how to get that lit-from-within glow).

— elizabeth denton, Allure, "NYX Is Launching In-Store Professional Makeup Services," 20 June 2017

First Known Use of basic

1908

BASIC

noun BA·SIC \ ˈbā-sik \

Definition of BASIC

computers :a simplified high-level language for programming a computer

The program was written in BASIC.

See BASIC defined for English-language learners

See BASIC defined for kids

Examples of basic in a Sentence

The program is written in BASIC.

Recent Examples of basic from the Web

Mr. McConnell has made sharper comments in private, describing Mr. Trump as entirely unwilling to learn the basics of governing.

— tina nguyen, The Hive, "Why Trump’s War on McConnell Could Imperil His Presidency," 23 Aug. 2017
SCORE L.A. offers many workshops on a variety of topics including buying into a franchise as well as social media and Internet marketing basics.

— mark kellam, Glendale News-Press, "SCORE L.A. is in the business of helping start new businesses," 18 Aug. 2017
Ages 10 and up can learn the basics of canoeing (equipment provided) at 9:30 a.m. at the Okeeheelee Nature Center, 7715 Forest Hill Blvd.

— jennifer jhon, South Florida Parenting, "Best fun for kids this weekend: YMCA water days, Florida Supercon," 26 July 2017
Peter Safar, an Austrian doctor had recently developed the basics of CPR.

— elaine sciolino, The Seattle Times, "At a family workshop near Paris, the ‘drowned Mona Lisa’ death mask lives on," 20 July 2017
Campers will learn some artistic basics and apply them in unique and fun ways.

— Naperville Sun, "Kids' camps being offered at Naper Settlement," 24 June 2017
Participants will learn the basics of choosing healthy foods and cooking affordable meals.

— Post-Tribune, "Community calendar," 24 June 2017
Doctors learn only the basics of other diseases because specialized medicines and equipment — chemotherapy for cancer, for example — simply aren’t available.

— michelle w., Longreads, "Reunification Will Have to Bridge the DMZ and Massive Technological Gaps," 23 June 2017
Love Contours All (how to define your features), Makeup 101 (how to nail the basics), and Glow Getter (how to get that lit-from-within glow).

— elizabeth denton, Allure, "NYX Is Launching In-Store Professional Makeup Services," 20 June 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'BASIC.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of basic

Beginner's All-purpose Symbolic Instruction Code

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1964

See Words from the same year

Other Computer-Related Terms

adware, flash, kludge, phishing, recursive, router

BASIC Defined for English Language Learners

basic

adjective

Definition of basic for English Language Learners

: forming or relating to the most important part of something
: forming or relating to the first or easiest part of something
: not including anything extra

basic

noun

Definition of basic for English Language Learners

basics : the simplest and most important parts of something (such as a subject of study)

BASIC

noun

Definition of BASIC for English Language Learners

computers : a simple language used for programming computers

BASIC Defined for Kids

basic

adjective ba·sic \ ˈbā-sik \

Definition of basic for Students

1 :relating to or forming the basis or most important part of something

the basic principles of science

a basic set of tools

2 :relating to or characteristic of a chemical base

a basic compound

—

basically

\-si-kə-lē\ adverb

basic

noun

Definition of basic for Students

:something that is one of the simplest and most important parts of something

the basics of farming

Medical Dictionary

basic

adjective ba·sic \ ˈbā-sik also -zik \

medical Definition of basic

1 :of, relating to, or forming the base or essence

2 a :of, relating to, containing, or having the character of a base

b :having an alkaline reaction

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BASIC

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basic

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