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Definition of basic adjective from the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

basic

adjective
 OPAL WOPAL S
 
/ˈbeɪsɪk/
 
/ˈbeɪsɪk/
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  1.  
     forming the part of something that is most necessary and from which other things develop
    • basic information/facts/ideas
    • the basic principles of law
    • basic life skills
    • basic to something Drums are basic to a lot of African music.
    Extra Examples
    • There is a basic fault in the design of the engine.
    • There's a basic contradiction in the whole idea of paying for justice.
    • They haven't even given us the most basic information we need.
    • The basic idea is that we all meet up in London.
  2.  
     of the simplest kind or at the simplest level
    • The campsite has only basic amenities.
    • My knowledge of French is pretty basic.
    • The design is very basic.
    • I'm going to ask you a few basic questions.
    • The recruits begin their basic training next week.
  3.  
     [only before noun] necessary and important to all people
    • basic human rights
    • basic needs like food, shelter and security
    • the cost of basic foods
  4. (especially British English)
    (North American English usually base)
    before anything extra is added
    • The basic pay of the average worker has risen by 3 per cent.
    • your basic salary/earnings
    • Before designing the house we planned the basic layout of the rooms.
    • The basic recipe can be adapted by adding grated lemon.
    5. Word Originmid 19th cent.: from the noun base + -ic.
See basic in the Oxford Advanced American DictionarySee basic in the Oxford Learner's Dictionary of Academic English
Check pronunciation: basic

Nearby words

dizzy
adjective
 
 
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