Basically Meaning
Basically Definition & Usage
Used to emphasize the simplicity or basic nature of a situation or statement, often to signal that a conclusion is being drawn or an explanation is being simplified.
Examples
- "Basically, all we need to do is follow the instructions."
- "The project is basically complete; we just need to do a few final checks."
- "He’s basically the only person who knows how to fix the machine."
- "It’s basically impossible to get a refund after 30 days."
- "They’re basically the same thing, just different names."
Used to present something in a less rigid or definitive way, often implying flexibility or approximation.
Examples
- "I’m basically free all weekend, so just let me know when."
- "It’s basically up to you whether we go or not."
- "I can basically finish it in two hours, if that’s okay with you."
- "It was basically the same as the last time we met."
- "She’s basically saying that we shouldn’t bother with the extra effort."
Cultural Context
The word 'basically' comes from the Latin word 'basis,' which means 'foundation' or 'base.' Over time, it evolved in English to express the idea of something fundamental or simplified. The word became widely used in spoken English in the late 20th century and is often employed to make statements sound more approachable, less formal, or more flexible.
The Meeting That Wasn't
Story
The Meeting That Wasn't
Sarah paced back and forth in the small conference room, trying to put her thoughts together. The upcoming project meeting had the potential to go one of two ways: either it would be an insightful brainstorming session, or it would turn into a long-winded discussion that led nowhere. She needed a way to ensure that everyone stayed on track. As she pulled out her notes, she started simplifying the agenda for herself. 'Basically, we just need to get a rough outline of the presentation,' she muttered to herself. She jotted it down on her notepad. 'Everything else is secondary.' As the team trickled in, Sarah greeted each member with a tight smile. 'Thanks for coming on such short notice. So, basically, I want us to focus on one thing today—the core structure of the report.' She noticed a few of them nodding, some of them less convinced. Alex, her colleague, raised an eyebrow. 'What about the data analysis? I thought that was the big part of this project.' Sarah hesitated for a moment. 'Well, we’re going to touch on it, but at the moment, basically, the structure is what matters. We’ll fill in the details later.' James, another team member, leaned forward, his tone casual. 'You’re saying it’s basically done, right?' he asked, half-joking. 'No, I wouldn’t say that. It’s just, well… we’re nearly there,' Sarah replied, laughing lightly. 'Basically, we have everything we need. It’s just a matter of piecing it together.' As the meeting progressed, Sarah noticed how often she used 'basically'—it was her way of softening the edges of her statements, making them feel less rigid and more open to interpretation. The truth was, the project wasn’t 'basically' done, but the key was keeping everyone on the same page and feeling comfortable. The team wrapped up the meeting, and Sarah felt a sense of accomplishment. The project wasn’t fully finished, but they had made good progress. 'Okay, so we’ll meet again on Friday. Basically, that gives us three days to put everything in order.' As she packed up her things, she reflected on how 'basically' had worked for her today. It wasn’t just a filler word—it had helped frame her explanations, softened the impact of her decisions, and, most importantly, kept the mood light and flexible. In the end, it was a tool for communication, just like any other.
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