adv · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot
Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.
Sound
Pronunciation
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CMU ARPABET:F AH2 N D AH0 M EH1 N T AH0 L IY0
Digits mark lexical stress: 1 primary, 2 secondary, 0 unstressed.
CMU ARPABET 2:F AH2 N D AH0 M EH1 N AH0 L IY0
Digits mark lexical stress: 1 primary, 2 secondary, 0 unstressed.
1
adv
Meaning 1
In a fundamental or basic sense; reaching the very core of the matter.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
2
adverb
Meaning 2
in essence; at bottom or by one's (or its) very nature
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
Examples
He is basically dishonest
the argument was essentially a technical one
for all his bluster he is in essence a shy person
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: basically, essentially
Antonyms: none provided
History
Etymology
Etymology tree English fundamental Middle English -ly English -ly English fundamentally From fundamental + -ly.
Across languages
Translations
12 source translations are retained for this English entry.
Chinese Mandarin:
根本地
— to the very core of the matter
Chinese Mandarin:
从根本上
— to the very core of the matter
Finnish:
pohjimmiltaan
— to the very core of the matter
Finnish:
olennaisesti
— to the very core of the matter
Finnish:
fundamentaalisesti
— to the very core of the matter
French:
fondamentalement
— to the very core of the matter
French:
foncièrement
— to the very core of the matter
Greek:
στοιχειωδώς
(stoicheiodós)
— to the very core of the matter
Hebrew:
עֶקְרוֹנִית
(eqronit)
— to the very core of the matter
Italian:
fondamentalmente
— to the very core of the matter
Italian:
essenzialmente
— to the very core of the matter
Spanish:
fundamentalmente
— to the very core of the matter