Basics: meaning, definitions and examples

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basics

 

[ ˈbeɪsɪks ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

fundamental knowledge

Basics refer to the fundamental knowledge or principles of a subject or skill. It is the essential foundation upon which more advanced concepts are built.

Synonyms

essentials, foundations, fundamentals.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
basics

Typically used when referring to the simplest and most essential components of a subject or activity. Often used in educational or instructional contexts.

  • Before diving into advanced strategies, let's review the basics of chess.
  • The basics of cooking include chopping vegetables and boiling water.
fundamentals

Used to describe the basic principles or core ideas behind something. Frequently found in educational or technical discussions.

  • Programming fundamentals include loops, conditionals, and variables.
  • Understanding the fundamentals of physics is essential for any aspiring scientist.
essentials

Often used to describe the most important elements or necessities required for something. Can be applied in various contexts, from packing for travel to understanding a concept.

  • When backpacking, water, food, and shelter are the essentials.
  • Understanding the essentials of first aid can save lives.
foundations

Refers to the underlying principles or base upon which something is built. Commonly used in an academic, structural, or philosophical context.

  • Strong mathematical foundations are crucial for success in engineering.
  • The foundations of the building must be solid to ensure stability.

Examples of usage

  • The basics of mathematics include addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division.
  • Before you can play the piano well, you need to master the basics of music theory.
Context #2 | Noun

simple elements

Basics can also refer to the simple elements or components of something. It represents the most basic or elementary aspects of a particular entity.

Synonyms

components, elements, fundamentals.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
basics

This word is generally used to describe the introductory or most important principles of a subject.

  • First, let's go over the basics of coding before we move to advanced topics
  • Understanding the basics of cooking can help you make almost any recipe
elements

This word is often used to talk about individual parts of a larger whole, especially in science or art.

  • Water is composed of the elements hydrogen and oxygen
  • The elements of a good story include a strong plot and well-developed characters
components

This term is used when referring to parts that make up a larger system or machine.

  • The components of a computer include the CPU, RAM, and hard drive
  • To build a working engine, you need all the essential components
fundamentals

This term focuses on the essential building blocks or core principles of any subject.

  • The fundamentals of physics are crucial for understanding more complex theories
  • She spent hours mastering the fundamentals of piano playing

Examples of usage

  • The basics of a healthy diet include fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.
  • Understanding the basics of coding is essential for building a website.

Translations

Translations of the word "basics" in other languages:

🇵🇹 fundamentos

🇮🇳 मूल बातें

🇩🇪 Grundlagen

🇮🇩 dasar-dasar

🇺🇦 основи

🇵🇱 podstawy

🇯🇵 基本

🇫🇷 bases

🇪🇸 conceptos básicos

🇹🇷 temel bilgiler

🇰🇷 기본

🇸🇦 الأساسيات

🇨🇿 základy

🇸🇰 základy

🇨🇳 基础

🇸🇮 osnove

🇮🇸 grunnatriði

🇰🇿 негіздер

🇬🇪 ძირითადი

🇦🇿 əsaslar

🇲🇽 conceptos básicos

Etymology

The word 'basics' originated from the late 18th century, derived from the Greek word 'basis,' meaning 'foundation' or 'base.' It has been used in English to describe fundamental principles or elementary elements of various subjects or skills.

See also: basically.

Word Frequency Rank

At position #13,931, this word is part of sophisticated English vocabulary. It's useful for academic or professional contexts where precise language is needed.