based

comparative more based · superlative most based

1. Founded on; having a basis; often used in combining forms.

   That was a soundly based argument.

   1 more example

   The company opted for a subscription-based business model.

1. simple past and past participle of base
   1. Being derived from (usually followed by on or upon).

      It's a new film based on a best-selling novel.

   2. Having a base.

      The ladder is based on the even sidewalk for stability.

   3. Having a base of operations.

      The company is based in New York.

comparative more based · superlative most based

1. slangNot caring what others think about one's personality, style, or behavior; focused on maintaining individuality.

   You have to work as a human with empathy and love in your heart, staying positive and staying based and staying normal.

   2012 April 12, Duncan Cooper, “Based Scripture: The Full Transcript of Lil B’s Lecture at NYU”, in The Fader

   1 more example

   Based means being yourself. Not being scared of what people think about you. Not being afraid to do what you wanna do. Being positive. […] Based is positive.

   2010 June 10, Lil B, Complex.com

   Synonyms: maverick

2. InternethumoroussometimesAdmirable; praiseworthy, especially if simultaneously unpopular or controversial.

   OP is based as hell

   2 more examples

   I hate l'Académie Française, but their spelling reforms are kind of based.

   2023 August 9, human1011, Hot Takes on Languages! #linguistics

   I officially approve of North Korea. This is... this is incredibly based.

   2024 June 7, Eric Parker, Connecting North Korea's Windows XP Clone to the Internet

   Antonyms: cringe, unbased, debased, base

   1. InternethumoroussometimesAdmirable for rejecting political correctness or socially progressive values.

      based and redpilled

      4 more examples

      My last account got banned for being too based.

      Those who are against Trump are not based at all. On February 16th, The Donald users comment on a “based” post in r/DankMemes which uses a classic Squidward sleeping meme to criticize those who are upset by Chris Pratt going to “church” (one which was purportedly anti-LGBT) but “ok” with sex predators in Hollywood: […]

      2019, Kira Stalker, "The Fracturing of the Alt Right: Conflicting Online Discourses Of White Nationalist Communities", thesis submitted to George Mason University, page 139

      His [Brenton Tarrant's] meme-themed shooting greatly represents the spirit of the aussie people, in the sense of shitposting until their last moment, based and redpilled he is.

      2019, anonymous, quoted in Cathrine Thorleifsson, "From cyberfascism to terrorism: On 4chan/pol/ culture and the transnational production of memetic violence", Nations and Nationalism, Volume 28, Issue 1, page 293

      Then, in the same month, noted feminist Christina Hoff Sommers was branded “white supremacy-adjacent” by feminist Roxane Gay. Her reasoning? That our beloved “Based Mom” once appeared at an event with Milo Yiannopoulos and didn't disavow him enough.

      2020, David Rubin, Don't Burn This Book: Thinking for Yourself in an Age of Unreason, unnumbered page

      Synonyms: unwoke · Antonyms: cringe, unbased, debased, base

1. InternethumoroussometimesIndicating emphatic approval of a statement or opinion, often a controversial or unpopular one.

   —There is no ethics in communism. —Based.

   Synonyms: damn straight, word, right on, agreed, preach, See Thesaurus:yay, See Thesaurus:wow

2. youth slangExpressing a positive emotional reaction.

   Synonyms: aah, alright, 'ave it, ay, ayy, awesome, aww yeah, boo-ya