basically
gb/bˈeɪsɪkli/ us/bˈeɪsɪkli/
A2
English
~ 2700
alapvetően, lényegében, magyarán, egyszerűen szólva, gyakorlatilag, többé-kevésbé
B1
1
alapvetően
B1
lényegében
B2
Usage pattern:
basically, [clause]
Basically, the project was a success despite some delays.
Alapvetően sikeres volt a projekt, néhány csúszás ellenére.
He basically told me to leave and never come back.
Lényegében azt közölte velem, hogy menjek el, és soha ne jöjjek vissza.
The two proposals are basically the same.
She basically ignored my advice.
Basically, we need more time to finish.
Learner examples
Basically, it is a big problem.
Alapvetően ez nagy probléma.
He is basically my best friend.
Lényegében ő a legjobb barátom.
The story is basically true.
We basically live next to the school.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes overuse 'basically' as a filler word without adding meaning, which can make speech sound less clear.
Meaning
in the most important way
Collocations
basically means
|basically the same
|basically true
|basically correct
Synonyms
essentially (Slightly more formal and often used in academic or professional contexts.)
|
fundamentally (Emphasizes the underlying truth or basis even more strongly than 'basically'.)
Antonyms
superficially (Focuses only on surface details rather than the core facts.)
Themes
communication
|daily life
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Used to show the main or most important thing, without small details.
Used to indicate the most important or central fact of something, ignoring less important details.
A2
INFORMAL
2
magyarán
B2
Usage pattern:
basically, [simple explanation]
Basically, you mix all the ingredients and bake for 20 minutes.
Egyszerűen szólva: összekevered az összes hozzávalót, aztán 20 percig sütöd.
So basically, he forgot his passport and missed the flight.
Szóval, magyarán: otthon felejtette az útlevelét, és lekéste a gépet.
Basically, it works like this: you press the button and it starts.
Learner examples
Basically, you turn it on and wait.
Magyarán: bekapcsolod, és vársz.
Basically, we go there and eat.
Egyszerűen szólva: elmegyünk oda, és eszünk.
Basically, you put it here.
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse this meaning with 'essentially' in formal writing, where 'basically' can sound too casual.
Meaning
to put it simply
Collocations
basically what happened
|basically it means
|basically you just
Synonyms
simply (More neutral; lacks the conversational tone of 'basically'.)
|
in short (Often used to wrap up or summarize a point briefly.)
Antonyms
technically (Introduces a precise or detailed explanation rather than a simplified one.)
Themes
communication
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Used to say something in a simple way so it is easy to understand.
Used informally to introduce a simple explanation of something complex.
B1
INFORMAL
3
Usage pattern:
[subject] is basically [description]
The work is basically finished; we just need to clean up.
A munka gyakorlatilag kész; már csak össze kell takarítanunk.
He's basically a vegetarian, though he eats fish sometimes.
Gyakorlatilag vegetáriánus, bár néha eszik halat.
The movie is basically a remake of an older film.
Learner examples
The game is basically over.
A játéknak gyakorlatilag vége.
It is basically ready now.
Most már gyakorlatilag készen van.
She is basically my sister.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use 'basically' here when they mean 'literally', which changes the meaning completely.
Meaning
almost but not exactly
Collocations
basically done
|basically finished
|basically correct
Synonyms
virtually ('Virtually' can be slightly more formal and technical-sounding.)
|
practically ('Practically' overlaps in meaning but can also mean 'in a practical sense'.)
Antonyms
exactly (Indicates complete precision rather than approximation.)
Themes
communication
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Used to say something is mostly true but not 100%.
Used informally to mean 'almost' or 'for the most part', though not completely accurate.
Grammar
Dictionary form
basically
IPA
GB/bˈeɪsɪkli/
US/bˈeɪsɪkli/
Syllables & stress
ba - sic - ally (3 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (ba)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: basically
- Plural: basicallies
Word family
Expressions
basically speaking
1/bˈeɪsɪkli spˈikɪŋ/
fixed phrase
considering only main points
Used before giving only the main facts without details.
Examples
- Basically speaking, we need more staff to handle the workload.
- Basically speaking, both plans will cost about the same.
to put it basically
1/tə pˈʊt ˈɪt bˈeɪsɪkli/
fixed phrase
informal
explain simply
Used before giving a short and easy explanation of something complex.
Examples
- To put it basically, we won because we worked harder.
- To put it basically, it's like a big computer in the cloud.