adjective
Uncommon
basal
BAY-suh
Basal (adjective) means forming the base or starting point of something; fundamental. Example: “The report covers the basal principles of the new tax system.”
adjective
1
Forming the base or starting point of something; fundamental.
"The report covers the basal principles of the new tax system."
"Trust is basal to any good working relationship."
2
Relating to the base of a structure, organ, or organism in biology.
"The basal leaves of the plant grow close to the ground."
"Doctors measured his basal body temperature each morning."
How to use basal
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishRelating to the bottom or foundational part of something.
Common mistake
Most often seen in science and medicine — "basal metabolic rate" is the calories your body burns at complete rest.
Common pairings
basal rate
basal cells
basal leaves
basal metabolic rate
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Word forms
- Plural
- basals
- Comparative
- more basal
- Superlative
- most basal
Fill the gap
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The report covers the _____ principles of the new tax system.
Etymology
From base + the adjective-forming suffix -al.
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for basal
See all rhymes for basal →Frequently asked questions
What does “basal” mean?
The word “basal” means forming the base or starting point of something; fundamental. In plain terms, relating to the bottom or foundational part of something.
How do you pronounce “basal”?
“Basal” is pronounced BAY-suh ([ˈbeɪzəɫ] in IPA).
How do you use “basal” in a sentence?
Here is “basal” used in a sentence: “The report covers the basal principles of the new tax system.”
What is another word for “basal”?
Words with a similar meaning to “basal” include basilar.
What part of speech is “basal”?
“Basal” is an adjective.
Is “basal” a common word?
“Basal” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “basal” have?
“Basal” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: forming the base or starting point of something; fundamental.
