ba ‧ sic S2 W1 /ˈbeɪsɪk/ BrE AmE adjective
[ Word Family: noun : ↑ base , the basics, ↑ basis ; adjective : ↑ baseless , ↑ basic , ↑ based ; verb : ↑ base ; adverb : ↑ basically ]
[ Date: 1800-1900 ; Origin: base ]
1 . forming the most important or most necessary part of something ⇨ basics :
the basic principles of chemistry
The basic idea is simple.
basic research
basic information
basic to
medical techniques basic to the control of infection
2 . at the simplest or least developed level ⇨ basics :
the basic skills of programming
Their knowledge is very basic.
The farm lacks even basic equipment.
3 . basic salary/pay/pension etc the amount of money that you are paid before any special payments are added:
On top of the basic salary, there are numerous other benefits.
4 . [only before noun] basic rights, needs etc are ones that everyone needs or should have:
basic human rights
poor families unable to meet their basic needs
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COLLOCATIONS
■ nouns
▪ the basic idea
The basic idea is that science discovers the truth of how the world works.
▪ a basic principle
The basic principles underlying all the systems are the same.
▪ basic information
This leaflet has been designed to provide some basic information.
▪ basic facts
You should start by giving the basic facts.
▪ basic rules
Most people nowadays are aware of some of the basic rules of healthy living.
▪ a basic question
The interviewer will ask you some basic questions about your education and work experience.
▪ a basic concept
He was unfamiliar with the most basic concepts of chemistry.
▪ basic services
They lack basic services such as water and electricity.
▪ basic research
We need basic research into the causes of mental illness.
▪ a basic ingredient of something
The ability to adapt is a basic ingredient of survival.
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THESAURUS
▪ basic the basic things or information are the ones that are the most necessary, or the ones that you need to know first:
Visit our website for some basic facts about healthy eating, exercise and weight control.
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Water – indeed everything basic to life here must be brought in by truck.
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people's basic needs
▪ fundamental more important than anything else - used especially when you want to emphasize what you are saying:
The fundamental problem is a lack of resources.
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one of the fundamental beliefs of Christianity
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These values are fundamental to our society.
▪ essential used when talking about a particular thing or feature, which something must have in order to continue. Also used when talking about the main point, difference etc:
Freedom of the press is essential to our democracy.
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Change and diversity are essential characteristics of the natural world.
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The essential point is this: either we act now, or the whole future of our planet is uncertain.
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One of the essential differences between humans and computers is that humans are more likely to make mistakes.
▪ central very important and having a lot of influence or receiving a lot of attention:
Indonesia occupies a central role in this market.
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Education is central to government policy.