basement
The lowest floor of a house or building that is partly or fully under the ground.
The lowest floor of a building, partly or completely below ground level, often used for storage, utilities, or extra living space.
The very last place in a list that shows best to worst, such as a sports table or company ranking.
The lowest position in a ranking, list, or scale, especially for sports teams, companies, or performance measures.
- Base: basement
- Plural: basements
basement apartment
1Apartment in a basement
An apartment that is built in the basement of a house or other building.
- She rents a small basement apartment near the university.
- Basement apartments are often cheaper but can have less natural light.
finished basement
1Basement ready for regular use
A basement that has walls, flooring, lights, and other things so people can live, work, or play there comfortably.
- The house has a finished basement with a guest room and a TV area.
- They spent the summer turning their unfinished basement into a finished basement.
in the basement
1In last place in rankings
To be at the very bottom of a list that shows best to worst, for example in sports, business, or test scores.
- Our local team is still in the basement, but they’re improving.
- The company was in the basement for customer satisfaction before the new CEO arrived.
living in your parents' basement
1Dependent adult living with parents
To be an adult who still lives in their parents’ basement, often used to suggest that the person is not independent or successful.
- He jokes that if his business fails, he’ll be living in his parents’ basement again.
- The stereotype of a gamer living in his parents’ basement is unfair but common.