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 Isaiah Simmons, former top-10 pick, was traded to the New York Giants for a big bag of nothing (a seventh-round draft pick in 2024, which is basically the same thing). Bill Goodykoontz, The Arizona Republic, 8 Sep. 2023 Turned out, renovating was not only going to cost the Hops $160 million, but was going to basically max out their ability to expand if those requirements ever changed again. Bill Oram, oregonlive, 8 Sep. 2023 Gun trusts are legal instruments that basically preapprove people who can handle and take possession of NFA weapons. Kendra Rey, Dallas News, 8 Sep. 2023 Encryption is a process of transforming data into an unreadable form that can only be accessed by authorized parties with the decryption key, which is basically just a password that can turn the data back into text that can be read and used. Kurt Knutsson, Fox News, 8 Sep. 2023 Other career highlights: He's basically worked for the Steelers his entire career. Michael Stillwell, Town & Country, 7 Sep. 2023 She was basically not allowed to have a lab with the men. Ashraya Gupta, Scientific American, 7 Sep. 2023 Screening in Venice’s International Critics’ Week sidebar, the film marks a promising first feature for Hussain, who shows a steady command of tone in a story that’s basically set in one colorless, extremely alienating place. Jordan Mintzer, The Hollywood Reporter, 6 Sep. 2023 An objective lens diameter is basically the size of the viewing field created by the exit lens on your range finder. Justin Park, Popular Mechanics, 28 Aug. 2023 See More

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 24 Sep. 2023.

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