Literally vs. Basically — What's the Difference?
Difference Between Literally and Basically
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Compare with Definitions
Literally
In a literal manner or sense; exactly
The driver took it literally when asked to go straight over the roundabout
Tiramisu, literally translated ‘pull-me-up’
Basically
In the most essential respects; fundamentally
We started from a basically simple idea
Literally
In a literal manner; word for word
Translated the Greek passage literally.
Basically
In a basic way; fundamentally or essentially
Throughout the ordeal, he remained basically the same.
Literally
In a literal or strict sense
Don't take my remarks literally.
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Basically
For the most part; chiefly
They basically do what they are supposed to.
Literally
Actually; in effect; practically. Used as an intensive to emphasize a figurative statement in an exaggerated way
“There are people in the world who literally do not know how to boil water” (Craig Claiborne). I was so angry that my heart literally exploded with rage.
Basically
In a fundamental, essential or basic manner
They've added some fancy features, but it's basically still a crappy car.
Literally
Word for word; not figuratively; not as an idiom or metaphor.
When I saw on the news that there would be no school tomorrow because of the snowstorm, I literally jumped for joy, and hit my head on the ceiling fan.
Basically
Mostly; generally; for the most part
Literally
Used non-literally as an intensifier for figurative statements: virtually, so to speak (often considered incorrect; see usage notes)
He was so surprised, he literally jumped twenty feet in the air.
My daughter's pet rabbit had babies, and now we've literally got rabbits coming out of our ears.
On 9/11 people were literally glued to their TV sets.
Basically
(filler) used to refer to the most important or fundamental point the speaker is making; sometimes tending towards a meaningless filler word
I shouldn't have done it, basically.
To get your eyes tested, you should basically go to the opticians.
Literally
(colloquial) Used to intensify or dramatize non-figurative statements.
I had no idea, so I was literally guessing.
I was literally having breakfast when she arrived.
She was literally like, "What?", and I was literally like, "Yeah".
Literally who is this?
Basically
At bottom or by one's (or its) very nature;
He is basically dishonest
The argument was essentially a technical one
For all his bluster he is in essence a shy person
Literally
(colloquial) Used as a generic downtoner: just, merely.
It's not even hard to make—you literally just put it in the microwave for five minutes and it's done.
It won't take me long to get back, cause the store's literally two blocks away.
Literally
According to the primary and natural import of words; not figuratively; as, a man and his wife can not be literally one flesh.
Literally
With close adherence to words; word by word.
So wild and ungovernable a poet can not be translated literally.
Literally
In a literal sense;
Literally translated
He said so literally
Literally
(intensifier before a figurative expression) without exaggeration;
Our eyes were literally pinned to TV during the Gulf war
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