basically
adverb
ba·si·cal·ly
ˈbā-si-k(ə-)lē 
also -zi-
Synonyms
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
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
Articles Related to basically
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.
Copy Citation
More from Merriam-Webster on basically
Nglish: Translation of basically for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of basically for Arabic Speakers
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share