basics

Universal Words noun [pl.] 1 ~ (of sth) the most important and necessary facts, skills, ideas, etc. from which other things develop: the basics of computer programming * This range of books for young children covers basics like the alphabet and numbers. 2 the simplest and most important things that people need in a particular situation: Some schools lack money for basics like books and pencils. IDIOMS go / get back to basics to think about the simple or most important ideas within a subject or an activity instead of new ideas or complicated details: Managers should get back to basics and examine the kind of products people really want.