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

• altogether
• by and large
• chiefly
• generally
• largely
• mainly
• mostly
• overall
• predominantly
• primarily
• principally
• substantially

Examples of basically in a Sentence

your answer is basically correct

Recent Examples on the Web

But those losers would get new jobs in a growing economy and basically everything would ultimately be fine. —Greg Rosalsky, NPR, 11 Feb. 2025

In addition to rocking some of our favorite red carpet looks (her 2025 Grammys gown was truly one for the books), her Instagram is basically a shopping guide. —Kleigh Balugo, StyleCaster, 11 Feb. 2025

This film was really made in general through basically no money. —Destiny Jackson, Deadline, 11 Feb. 2025

The ring was spotted by the European Space Agency's Euclid mission around the galaxy NGC 6505 in the constellation Draco, which lies roughly 590 million light-years from Earth—basically in our backyard, cosmically speaking. —Justin Gest, Newsweek, 11 Feb. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1863, in the meaning defined at sense 1a