based
What does based mean?
Admirably true to yourself and unafraid of what others think — saying what you believe regardless of whether it's popular. The rough opposite of "cringe".
Origin
Reclaimed and redefined by rapper Lil B around 2010 as a positive term for being yourself; spread widely online.
Frequently asked questions
What does "based" mean?
Admirably true to yourself and unafraid of what others think — saying what you believe regardless of whether it's popular. The rough opposite of "cringe".
How do you use "based" in a sentence?
For example: "He admitted he's never seen the film everyone loves. Based."
Where does "based" come from?
Reclaimed and redefined by rapper Lil B around 2010 as a positive term for being yourself; spread widely online. It's generally dated to around 2017.
Is "based" internet slang?
Yes — "based" is classed as internet slang on FreeDict. Admirably true to yourself and unafraid of what others think — saying what you believe regardless of whether it's popular. The rough opposite of "cringe".