Basically


fundamentally.
Contemporary Examples

Tom Skerritt: The extras were basically this improvisational group that he found in San Francisco.
The Making of M*A*S*H Mitchell Zuckoff October 23, 2009

High-end art needs to come with a chain-of-custody that authenticates it; otherwise it’s basically worthless.
So You’ve Stolen a Valuable Painting. What Do You Do Now? Megan McArdle October 18, 2012

We give disability benefits for things that are basically impossible for an outside observer to verify, like back pain.
How a Discrimination Settlement Turned into a Bonanza for Fraudsters Megan McArdle April 25, 2013

We basically got too smart for our own good; we moved from cooking to “food processing.”
It’s the End of the World Unless We All Start Cooking Rachel Khong April 22, 2013

Everyone is clothed and basically just laughing at this silly sex toy someone brought out as a conversation piece.
Miss America Hypocrisy: The Vanessa Williams Nude Photo Shaming Amanda Marcotte July 22, 2014

Historical Examples

She came into the room just after basically the very short visit was concluded.
Warren Commission (3 of 26): Hearings Vol. III (of 15) The President’s Commission on the Assassination of President Kennedy

The democracy of Fair Play was basically the fair play of democracy.
The Fair Play Settlers of the West Branch Valley, 1769-1784 George D. Wolf

When it came to the pinch, to a real jam, you would have been just like the rest, basically.
Marley’s Chain Alan Edward Nourse

Since you all know what we think it basically should be, there is no need to repeat it.
The Galaxy Primes Edward Elmer Smith

The springy, sickeningly uncertain stuff underfoot was basically white-that-had-been-soiled.
Planet of Dread Murray Leinster

adverb
in a fundamental or elementary manner; essentially: strident and basically unpleasant
(sentence modifier) in essence; in summary; put simply: basically we had underestimated mother nature
adv.

1903, from basic (adj.) + -ly (2).

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    of, relating to, or forming a base; fundamental: a basic principle; the basic ingredient. Chemistry. pertaining to, of the nature of, or containing a base. not having all of the hydroxyls of the base replaced by the acid group, or having the metal or its equivalent united partly to the acid group and partly to […]


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