What does "based" mean?

1. (located in a place) living or working in a specific place. 2. (using as a foundation) using something as the main idea or starting point for something else. 3. (authentic and unapologetic) being yourself and not caring what other people think, even if your ideas are unpopular. 4. (expression of approval) a word used to show you agree with or admire a bold statement.

How do you use "based"?

Usually follows the noun it describes and is preceded by a location. Commonly used in the pattern 'based on'. Often used as a one-word reply in online comments.

based

adj. · interj.

US //ˈbeɪst// UK //bˈeɪst// based

1 located in a place (adj.)
A2 Elementary

living or working in a specific place.

having a primary residence, headquarters, or center of operations in a specified location.

Example

The company is based in Tokyo but has offices all over the world.

Example

Although the research team is based in London, they conduct the majority of their fieldwork in remote areas of sub-Saharan Africa.

Usage

Usually follows the noun it describes and is preceded by a location.
2 using as a foundation (adj.)
B1 Intermediate

using something as the main idea or starting point for something else.

founded upon or developed from a specific source, principle, or set of data.

Example

The movie is based on a true story that happened in the 1990s.

Example

The professor's argument was based on a series of flawed assumptions regarding the economic stability of the region during the late nineteenth century.

Usage

Commonly used in the pattern 'based on'.

Show 2 more sensesShow fewer

3 authentic and unapologetic (adj.)
C1 Advanced Slang Informal Humorous

being yourself and not caring what other people think, even if your ideas are unpopular.

denoting a person who remains true to their own values and personality without regard for social pressure or external criticism.

Example

I don't agree with his politics, but he is based for saying what he actually thinks.

Example

The commentator's refusal to retract his statement was described as based by his followers, who valued his perceived authenticity over social approval.

Teacher's tip

This sense originated in hip-hop culture but became a major internet meme; it is often used to praise controversial opinions.
- authentic
- unapologetic
- cringe
4 expression of approval (interj.)
C1 Advanced Slang Informal

a word used to show you agree with or admire a bold statement.

used as a standalone exclamation to signal emphatic agreement with a statement, particularly one that challenges mainstream conventions.

Example

A: 'I think people should spend less time on their phones.' B: 'Based.'

Example

When the CEO admitted the company's failure was entirely his fault, the forum thread was immediately flooded with single-word replies of 'Based'.

Usage

Often used as a one-word reply in online comments.
- agreed
- true