adv ·Uncommon ·Advanced level

Definitions

Adverb

1. 1
   In a fundamental, essential or basic manner.

   "They've added some fancy features, but it's basically still a crappy car."

2. 2
   Essentially; mostly; pretty much.
3. 3
   Used to refer to the most important or fundamental point that the speaker is making or to indicate a generalization or simplification; sometimes tending towards a meaningless filler word.

   "I shouldn't have done it, basically."

Adverb

1. 1
   in essence; at bottom or by one's (or its) very nature wordnet

Synonyms

All synonyms

all things consideredaltogetherat the end of the dayau faitbottomby and large

Example

More examples

"Basically, I agree with your opinion."

Etymology

From basic + -ally.

Data sourced from Wiktionary, WordNet, CMU, and other open linguistic databases. Updated March 2026.