Definition of "basic" in English

adjective

1. Necessary, essential for life or some process.

   • Flour is a basic ingredient of bread.

2. Elementary, simple, fundamental, merely functional.

   • The Hotel Sparta’s accommodation is very basic.

3. (chemistry) Of or pertaining to a base; having a pH greater than 7.

4. (informal) Unremarkable or uninteresting; boring; uncool.

   • I'm not saying people are jealous of Hathaway because she is so perfect. Yes, she does have it all — husband, healthy career, good looks. But she doesn't do anything in an "awesome" way. She's basic.
   • "I couldn't get into it, I could barely understand what he's saying – it had too much cursing and explicit language," said Cortnee Brandon. "I think his lyrics are easy...he's basic. Kendrick Lamar is kind of overrated."

noun

1. A necessary commodity, a staple requirement.

   • Rice is a basic for many Asian villagers.

2. An elementary building block, e.g. a fundamental piece of knowledge.

   • Arithmetic is a basic for the study of mathematics.
   • I know the basics of sailing and would love to learn more.

3. (military) Basic training.

   • The drill sergeants gave him hell in basic.