basically

basically
[[t]be͟ɪsɪkli[/t]]
♦♦♦
1) ADV: ADV with cl/group (emphasis) You use basically for emphasis when you are stating an opinion, or when you are making an important statement about something.

This gun is designed for one purpose - it's basically to kill people...

Basically I think he would be someone who complemented me in terms of character.

2) ADV: ADV with cl/group, ADV before v You use basically to show that you are describing a situation in a simple, general way, and that you are not concerned with less important details.

Basically you've got two choices...

It's basically a vegan diet...

Battery charging systems remain basically the same as those in use half a century ago.


English dictionary. 2008.

Игры ⚽ Поможем решить контрольную работу

Look at other dictionaries:

  • basically — has developed in the 20c from a specific meaning ‘essentially, fundamentally’, to a more or less meaningless sentence filler comparable to actually and really: • Basically, I feel great, except for fatigue M. Ali, 1987 • Basically I see myself as …   Modern English usage

  • basically — ► ADVERB 1) fundamentally. 2) in fact; essentially: I basically did the same thing every day …   English terms dictionary

  • basically — (adv.) 1903, from BASIC (Cf. basic) (q.v.) …   Etymology dictionary

  • basically — [adv] fundamentally at heart, at the bottom, essentially, firstly, in essence, inherently, in substance, intrinsically, mostly, primarily, radically; concept 568 Ant. additionally, extra, inessentially …   New thesaurus

  • basically — ba|sic|ally S1 [ˈbeısıkli] adv 1.) [sentence adverb] spoken used to emphasize the most important reason or fact about something, or a simple explanation of something ▪ Basically, I m just lazy. ▪ Well, basically, it s a matter of filling in a few …   Dictionary of contemporary English

  • basically — adverb Date: 1903 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 > …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • basically — ba|si|cally [ beısıkli ] adverb ** 1. ) used for saying that you are talking about the most important aspects of something and not mentioning the specific details: The book is basically a love story. Basically, their goal is to promote healthier… …   Usage of the words and phrases in modern English

  • basically */*/ — UK [ˈbeɪsɪklɪ] / US adverb 1) used for saying that you are talking about the most important aspects of something and not mentioning the specific details The book is basically a love story. Basically, their goal is to promote healthier eating… …   English dictionary

  • basically — adv. Basically is used with these adjectives: ↑conservative, ↑correct, ↑dishonest, ↑evil, ↑factual, ↑healthy, ↑identical, ↑intact, ↑meaningless, ↑non existent, ↑same, ↑ …   Collocations dictionary

  • basically*/ — [ˈbeɪsɪkli] adv 1) in the most important aspects, without thinking about the specific details The book is basically a love story.[/ex] 2) spoken used for emphasizing the most important point or idea in what you are saying Basically, you should… …   Dictionary for writing and speaking English

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