You use basic to describe things, activities, and principles that are very important or necessary, and on which others depend.
One of the most basic requirements for any form of angling is a sharp hook.
...the basic skills of reading, writing and communicating.
...the basic laws of physics.
Access to justice is a basic right.
Synonyms: fundamental, main, key, essential More Synonyms of basic
2. adjective [usually ADJECTIVE noun]
Basic goods and services are very simple ones which every human being needs. You can also refer to people's basic needs for such goods and services.
...shortages of even the most basic foodstuffs.
Hospitals lack even basic drugs for surgical operations.
...the basic needs of food and water.
Synonyms: vital, needed, important, key More Synonyms of basic
3. adjective
If one thing is basicto another, it is absolutely necessary to it, and the second thing cannot exist, succeed, or be imagined without it.
...an oily liquid, basic to the manufacture of a host of other chemical substances. [+ to]
There are certain ethical principles that are basic to all the great religions. [+ to]
Synonyms: essential, central, key, vital More Synonyms of basic
4. adjective [ADJECTIVE noun]
You can use basic to emphasize that you are referring to what you consider to be the most important aspect of a situation, and that you are not concerned with less important details.
[emphasis]
There are three basic types of tea.
The basic design changed little from that patented by Edison more than 100 yearsago.
The basic point is that sanctions cannot be counted on to produce a sure result.
Synonyms: main, key, essential, primary More Synonyms of basic
5. adjective
You can use basic to describe something that is very simple in style and has only the most necessaryfeatures, without any luxuries.
We provide 2-person tents and basic cooking and camping equipment.
...the extremely basic hotel room.
Synonyms: plain, simple, classic, ordinary More Synonyms of basic
6. adjective [ADJECTIVE noun]
Basic is used to describe a price or someone's income when this does not include any additional amounts.
...an increase of more than twenty per cent on the basic pay of a typical worker.
The basic retirement pension will go up by £1.95 a week.
The basic price for a 10-minute call is only £2.49.
Synonyms: lowest, starting, lowest level More Synonyms of basic
7. adjective [ADJECTIVE noun]
The basic rate of income tax is the lowest or most common rate, which applies to people who earn average incomes.
All this is to be done without big rises in the basic level of taxation.
...a basic-rate taxpayer.
More Synonyms of basic
basic in British English
(ˈbeɪsɪk)
adjective
1.
of, relating to, or forming a base or basis; fundamental; underlying
2.
elementary or simple
a few basic facts
3.
excluding additions or extras
basic pay
4. slang
lacking style and originality
a rather basic film
5. chemistry
a.
of, denoting, or containing a base; alkaline
b.
(of a salt) containing hydroxyl or oxide groups not all of which have been replaced by an acid radical
basic lead carbonate, 2PbCO3.Pb(OH)2
6. metallurgy
of, concerned with, or made by a process in which the furnace or converter is made of a basic material, such as magnesium oxide
7.
(of such igneous rocks as basalt) containing between 52 and 45 per cent silica
8. military
primary or initial
basic training
noun
9. (usually plural)
a fundamental principle, fact, etc
BASIC in British English
or Basic (ˈbeɪsɪk)
noun
a computer programming language that uses common English terms
Word origin
C20: acronym of b(eginner's) a(ll-purpose) s(ymbolic) i(nstruction) c(ode)
BASIC in American English
(ˈbeɪsɪk)
noun
a simplified computer language that utilizes common English words and algebra
of, having the nature of, or containing a base; alkaline
b.
designating, of, or resulting from a process of manufacturing steel from high-phosphorus iron, in which the refining agent is a basic slag formed from a basic furnace lining and the addition of lime
4. Geology
designating or of igneous rocks with 45-52% silica
noun
5.
a basic principle, factor, etc.
usually used in pl.
6.
basic military training
Derived forms
basically (ˈbasically)
adverb
Examples of 'basic' in a sentence
basic
Stars can split image rights from their basic pay to have two incomes.
The Sun (2016)
How rarely modern architecture manages to satisfy this simple and basic requirement.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
It needs to be stripped back and brought back to basics so people can make their own judgments.
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
We're not doing the basic things that were the cornerstone of what we did last year.
The Sun (2016)
If you are trekking, basic food and lodgings are all part of the fun.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
And with a basic price tag of 99, it is a real bargain.
The Sun (2016)
He said:'We conceded three basic goals.
The Sun (2016)
What's shocking is that these basic facts aren't more widely known.
The Sun (2016)
The charity is also doing many of the basic things to help those who suddenly find themselves displaced without money, a home or a livelihood.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
For the coming year it was increasing the amount payable under its longterm incentive plan by 100 per cent of basic salary while adjusting some performance measures.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Basic equipment can be just as effective at home as in the gym.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
We are great at the basic research.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
Yes he did well because he did the basic things right.
The Sun (2007)
There is no difference in the basic process underlying religious thought in different societies.
Siann, Gerda & Ugwuegbu, Denis C. E. Educational Psychology in a Changing World (1988)
The growth in allowances is partly because of a reluctance to be seen to raise basic pay.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
The high basic price is partly down to global demand.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
We miss the basic ways people need care.
Christianity Today (2000)
These ideas form the basic judgment as to what is rational.
Henry, John F The Making of Neoclassical Economics (1990)
One of the basic building blocks of success in football is money.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
These things were settled in advance by the basic fact of gender difference.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
There are three basic ways to record what you do.
Atkinson, Jacqueline M Coping with Stress at Work (1988)
There are certain basic requirements of humanity which are not negotiable when it comes to running prisons.
Coyle, Andrew & Stern, Vivien The Prisons We Deserve (1994)
But there is no reason not to get the basics right and the basics are simple.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
This orange jumper is a great wardrobe basic.
The Sun (2007)
There are some basic things a manager needs to do to maximise engagement.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
The basics of due process have been forgotten.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
He suggested a bonus cap would only lead to increases in basic pay.
The Sun (2013)
The global prices of other basic foodstuffs have proved similarly volatile in recent years.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
The basic idea is simple and seductive.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
One more basic point needs to be made.
Peter F. Drucker MANAGEMENT: task, responsibilities, practices (1974)
We need to get back to basics and teach people what it means to be a hero again.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
The individual accounts read like dispatches from a front line where students struggle to survive without basic training or equipment.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
Some of these people are also getting a bonus worth 120 per cent of their basic salary.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
Junior doctors have already rejected an 11 per cent rise in basic pay.
The Sun (2016)
In other languages
basic
British English: basic /ˈbeɪsɪk/ ADJECTIVE
You use basic to describe things, activities, and principles that are very important or necessary, and on which others depend.
One of the most basic requirements for any form of angling is a sharp hook.
American English: basic
Arabic: أَسَاسِيّ
Brazilian Portuguese: básico
Chinese: 基本的
Croatian: osnovan
Czech: základní
Danish: enkel simpel
Dutch: basis-
European Spanish: básico
Finnish: perus-
French: basique
German: grundlegend
Greek: βασικός
Italian: basilare
Japanese: 基本的な
Korean: 기초의
Norwegian: grunnleggende
Polish: podstawowy
European Portuguese: básico
Romanian: fundamental
Russian: основной
Latin American Spanish: básico
Swedish: enkel elementär
Thai: พื้นฐาน ธรรมดา
Turkish: temel
Ukrainian: основний
Vietnamese: căn bản
All related terms of 'basic'
basic error
An error is something you have done which is considered to be incorrect or wrong , or which should not have been done.
basic rate
the standard or lowest level on a scale of money payable , esp in taxation
basic right
Your rights are what you are morally or legally entitled to do or to have.
basic slag
a furnace slag produced in steel-making, containing large amounts of calcium phosphate : used as a fertilizer
basic task
A task is an activity or piece of work which you have to do, usually as part of a larger project.
basic wage
a person's wage excluding overtime , bonuses , etc
basic element
The different elements of something are the different parts it contains.
basic English
a simplified form of English, proposed by C. K . Ogden and I. A. Richards , containing a vocabulary of approximately 850 of the commonest English words, intended as an international language
basic freedom
Freedom is the state of being allowed to do what you want to do. Freedoms are instances of this.
basic hygiene
Hygiene is the practice of keeping yourself and your surroundings clean , especially in order to prevent illness or the spread of diseases.
basic salary
See base pay
basic science
Science is the study of the nature and behaviour of natural things and the knowledge that we obtain about them.
basic education
(in India) education in which all teaching is correlated with the learning of a craft
basic industry
an industry which is highly important in a nation's economy
basic knowledge
Knowledge is information and understanding about a subject which a person has, or which all people have.
basic literacy
Literacy is the ability to read and write.
basic principle
The principles of a particular theory or philosophy are its basic rules or laws.
basic question
A question is something that you say or write in order to ask a person about something.
basic research
Research is work that involves studying something and trying to discover facts about it.
basic training
Basic training is the training that someone receives when they first join the armed forces.
Basic Curriculum
in England and Wales , the National Curriculum plus religious education
basic information
Information about someone or something consists of facts about them.
basic necessities
A necessity is something that you must have in order to live properly or do something.
basic requirement
A requirement is a quality or qualification that you must have in order to be allowed to do something or to be suitable for something.
basic vocabulary
the set of lexical items in a language that are most resistant to replacement , referring to the most common and universal elements of human experience, such as parts of the body ( foot, eye ), universal features of the environment ( water, star ), common activities ( eat, sleep ), and the lowest numerals
basic oxygen process
a process for refining steel in which oxygen is blown into the molten iron
basis weight
the weight in pounds of a ream of paper of a basic size , usually 25 × 38 in. (63 × 96 cm) for book stock , 17 × 22 in. (43 × 55 cm) for writing stock, and 20 × 26 in. (50 × 66 cm) for cover stock
Chinese translation of 'basic'
basic
(ˈbeɪsɪk)
adj
[principle, rule, right]基本的 (jīběn de)
(= primitive)[facilities]根本的 (gēnběn de)
see alsobasics
1 (adjective)
Definition
of or forming a base or basis
Access to justice is a basic right.
Synonyms
fundamental
main
key
essential
Two essential elements must be proven: motive and opportunity.
primary
vital
principal
Their principal concern is that of winning the next election.
constitutional
cardinal
The cardinal rule is to do everything you can to satisfy the customer.
inherent
the dangers inherent in an outbreak of war
elementary
Literacy now includes elementary computer skills.
indispensable
innate
As a race, they have an innate sense of fairness.
intrinsic
Diamonds have little intrinsic value.
elemental
the elemental theory of music
immanent
hierarchy as the immanent principle of Western society
2 (adjective)
Definition
of or forming a base or basis
shortages of even the most basic foodstuffs
Synonyms
vital
a blockade which could cut off vital oil and gas supplies
needed
important
The important thing is that you rest.
key
necessary
Is your journey really necessary?
Please make all the necessary arrangements.
essential
It is absolutely essential that we find this man quickly.
primary
crucial (informal)
the most crucial election campaign in years
fundamental
the fundamental principles of democracy
elementary
indispensable
She was becoming indispensable to him.
requisite
She filled in the requisite paperwork.
3 (adjective)
Definition
of or forming a base or basis
There are certain ethical principles that are basic to all the great religions.
Synonyms
essential
central
a central part of government policy
key
vital
fundamental
underlying
To stop a problem you have to understand its underlying causes.
indispensable
Opposites
supporting
,
minor
,
secondary
,
trivial
,
complementary
,
peripheral
,
supplementary
,
unessential
4 (adjective)
Definition
of or forming a base or basis
There are three basic types of tea.
Synonyms
main
My main concern now is to protect the children.
key
essential
primary
the primary cause of the disease
5 (adjective)
Definition
elementary or simple
the extremely basic hotel room
Synonyms
plain
a plain grey stone house, distinguished by its unspoilt simplicity
Her dress was plain, but it hung well on her.
simple
She's shunned Armani for a simple blouse and jeans.
classic
ordinary
My life seems pretty ordinary compared to yours.
severe
wearing her felt hats and severe grey suits
crude
crude wooden carvings
straightforward
Spartan
Their spartan lifestyle prohibits a fridge or a phone.
unpretentious
The Tides Inn is both comfortable and unpretentious.
uncluttered
unadorned
The room is typically simple and unadorned.
unfussy
bog-standard (informal)
unembellished
without frills
bare-bones
lo-fi
6 (adjective)
Definition
excluding additions or extras
the basic pay of a typical coalface worker
Synonyms
lowest
starting
lowest level
(plural noun)
Definition
fundamental principles, facts, etc.
Let's get down to basics and stop horsing around.
Synonyms
essentials
facts
principles
fundamentals
practicalities
requisites
nuts and bolts (informal)
Social skills are the nuts and bolts of social interaction.
hard facts
nitty-gritty (informal)
rudiments
brass tacks (informal)
necessaries
Additional synonyms
in the sense of cardinal
Definition
fundamentally important
The cardinal rule is to do everything you can to satisfy the customer.