- 1 [singular] the reason why people take a particular action She was chosen for the job on the basis of her qualifications. Some movies have been banned on the basis that they are too violent. Synonymsreasonexplanation grounds basis excuse motive justification pretextThese are all words for a cause or an explanation for something that has happened or that somebody has done.reason a cause or an explanation for something that has happened or that somebody has done; a fact that makes it right or fair to do something:He said no but he didn’t give a reason.explanation a statement, fact or situation that tells you why something has happened; a reason given for something:The most likely explanation is that his plane was delayed. She left the room abruptly without explanation.grounds (rather formal) a good or true reason for saying, doing or believing something:You have no grounds for complaint.basis (rather formal) the reason why people take a particular action:On what basis will this decision be made?excuse a reason, either true or invented, that you give to explain or defend your behaviour; a good reason that you give for doing something that you want to do for other reasons:Late again! What’s your excuse this time? It gave me an excuse to take the car.motive a reason that explains somebody’s behaviour:There seemed to be no motive for the murder.justification (rather formal) a good reason why something exists or is done:I can see no possible justification for any further tax increases.grounds or justification?Justification is used to talk about finding or understanding reasons for actions, or trying to explain why it is a good idea to do something. It is often used with words like little, no, some, every, without, and not any. Grounds is used more for talking about reasons that already exist, or that have already been decided, for example by law: moral/economic grounds.pretext (rather formal) a false reason that you give for doing something, usually something bad, in order to hide the real reason:He left the party early on the pretext of having to work.Patterns (a/an) reason/explanation/grounds/basis/excuse/motive/justification/pretext for something the reason/motive behind something on the grounds/basis/pretext of/that… (a) good/valid reason/explanation/grounds/excuse/motive/justification Oxford Collocations Dictionary adjectivewhole, consistent, factual, … prepositionon the basis of, basis for See full entry
- 2 [singular] the way things are organized or arranged on a regular/permanent/part-time/temporary basis on a daily/day-to-day/weekly basis Oxford Collocations Dictionary adjectiveregular, annual, daily, … prepositionon a… basis See full entry
- 3 [countable, usually singular, uncountable] the important facts, ideas or events that support something and that it can develop from The basis of a good marriage is trust. This article will form the basis for our discussion. The theory seems to have no basis in fact. Synonymsbasisfoundation baseThese are all words for the ideas or facts that something is based on.basis [usually sing.] a principle, an idea or a fact that supports something and that it can develop from:This article will form the basis for our discussion.foundation [C, U] a principle, an idea or a fact that supports something and that it develops from:Respect and friendship provide a solid foundation for marriage. The rumour is totally without foundation (= is not based on any facts).basis or foundation?Foundation is often used to talk about larger or more important things than basis:He laid the foundations of Japan’s modern economy. These figures formed the basis of their pay claim.base [usually sing.] an idea, a fact or a situation from which something is developed:His arguments have a sound economic base.Patterns a/the basis/foundation/base for/of something a secure/solid/sound/strong/weak basis/foundation/base to form the basis/foundation/base of something to be without basis/foundation Oxford Collocations Dictionary adjectivefirm, solid, sound, … verb + basisform, provide prepositionbasis for phraseshave no basis in something See full entry Word Originlate 16th cent. (denoting a base or pedestal): via Latin from Greek, ‘stepping’. Compare with the noun base.Extra examples Staff are employed on a monthly basis. The proposal provides a sound basis for a book. The whole basis for your argument is false. These allegations have no basis in fact. We made our decision on the basis of the information we had. On what basis will this decision be made? She was chosen for the job on the basis of her qualifications and ideas. Some videos have been banned on the basis that they are too violent. This theory seems to have no basis in fact.
noun jump to other results
BrE BrE//ˈbeɪsɪs//; NAmE NAmE//ˈbeɪsɪs//
(pl. bases BrE BrE//ˈbeɪsiːz//; NAmE NAmE//ˈbeɪsiːz//
)Check pronunciation: basis
