DictionaryAI

basically

adverb
BAY-sik-lee/ˈbeɪ.sɪk.(ə.)li/

2 meanings of basically

Practice

  1. 1
    adverb
    Used to mark the most important or fundamental point the speaker is making, or to signal a generalization or simplification, and sometimes little more than a filler word.

    Basically, the engine just needs a new belt and it'll run fine.

    We ran out of money halfway through the trip and had to come home, basically.

    UsageOften opens a sentence (Basically, we…), but can also sit mid-sentence or come last. As pure filler, leave it out of careful writing.

    Note

    Here the adverb comments on a whole statement rather than on any single word in it. Placed before one word, as in basically nobody, it has crossed into the "pretty much" meaning.

  2. 2
    adverb
    In the most important or fundamental respects; essentially, leaving aside small details.

    Her new novel is basically a retelling of an old folktale.

    We're basically agreed on the plan, with only the budget left to settle.

    Similaressentially

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Origin

Formed from "basic" combined with the suffix "-ally".

Checked 6 Nov 2026 · 1 fact