adjective
basic
BAY-sihk
adjective
1
Forming the essential foundation of something; fundamental.
"Reading and writing are basic skills taught in primary school."
"The hotel room was basic but clean."
2
In chemistry, having a pH greater than 7; alkaline.
"Baking soda dissolved in water produces a basic solution."
noun
1
(informal, plural: basics) The essential items or facts needed for something.
"Before we go further, let's cover the basics."
How to Use Basic
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSimple and essential — either "fundamental" or, in chemistry, "the opposite of acidic."
Common mistake
As slang, "basic" can also mean boringly mainstream or unoriginal ("such a basic outfit") — informal and often dismissive, avoid in neutral writing.
Common pairings
basic skills
basic needs
basic training
Word Forms
more basic comparative, basics plural, BASICs plural, most basic superlative
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Reading and writing are _____ skills taught in primary school.
Etymology
From base + the adjective suffix -ic.