basically

adverb

ba·​si·​cal·​ly ˈbā-si-k(ə-)lē 

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

Synonyms of basically

• mostly
• mainly
• primarily
• largely
• chiefly
• predominantly
• generally
• principally

Examples of basically in a Sentence

your answer is basically correct

Recent Examples on the Web

Vahl paints a stark portrait of the town and its few inhabitants — basically three men left in charge of a few dozen others — in succinct brushstrokes that combine the remote pastoral locations with flashes of gore and violence. — Jordan Mintzer, HollywoodReporter, 23 Sep. 2026

And in the interior of a cell, decoherence should be basically instantaneous — quantumness shouldn’t survive long enough in such an environment to have any bearing on biology. — Elise Cutts, Quanta Magazine, 23 Sep. 2026

The future curve for oil and gas basically points to a resolution later this year. — Mike Sheen, CNBC, 23 Sep. 2026

Stellar mass black holes are basically the corpses of dead stars. — David Brooks, The Atlantic, 20 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1863, in the meaning defined at sense 1a