Basic

/ˈbeɪsɪk/

adjectiveBeginner🔥Very CommonDescriptive
2 meanings1 idiom/phrase2 questions

Definitions

2 meanings
1

Serving as an essential component; forming a base or foundation.

/ˈbeɪsɪk/

adjectiveneutralBeginner
Descriptive

Fundamental or essential

The instructions were basic and easy to follow.

💡 Simply: Simple and essential.

More Examples

2

She has a basic understanding of the subject.

How It's Used

Education

"He's taking a basic math course."

Computing

"The program has a basic user interface."

2

The fundamental principles or elements of something.

/ˈbeɪsɪk/

nounneutralBeginner
Fundamentals

The foundation or essentials

He grasped the basics of Spanish quickly.

💡 Simply: The most important parts.

More Examples

2

Let's review the basics before we proceed.

How It's Used

Programming

"They learned the basics of programming in their first year."

Tip:Think of the 'base' of something, its foundational parts.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Antonyms

Idioms & expressions

back to basics

Returning to the fundamental principles or methods.

"After years of using advanced techniques, they decided to go back to basics."

From Old French *basik, from Latin *basicus, from basis "base, foundation".

The word's usage has remained consistent, referring to foundational aspects.

Memory tip

Think of the 'base' of a building – it's fundamental.

Word Origin

LanguageLatin
Original meaning

"base, foundation"

basic needsbasic principlesbasic knowledgebasic skills

Common misspellings

basikbascic

Usage

70%Spoken
30%Written