adjective
Very common
based
bayst
Based (adjective) means having a particular place as one's main location or headquarters. Example: “The company is based in London but has offices worldwide.”
adjective
1
Having a particular place as one's main location or headquarters.
"The company is based in London but has offices worldwide."
"She is based in New York for the next six months."
"My sister is based in Manchester, though she travels often for work."
2
Founded or built upon a particular idea, fact, or source.
"The movie script is loosely based on real events."
"Her argument is based on what she saw with her own eyes."
"The recipe is based on one my grandmother used to make."
3
(slang) Confidently true to oneself, especially when that means holding unpopular or controversial opinions.
"People called him based for saying what everyone else was too afraid to say."
"Everyone online called her based for calmly sticking to her opinion."
"He's so based; he never changes his views just to fit in."
How to use based
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishLocated somewhere, or built on a certain foundation — plus a newer slang meaning of "confidently yourself, no matter what people think."
When to use it
The slang sense ("that take is based") is internet and youth-culture slang, not appropriate in formal writing.
Common pairings
based in
based on
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like based.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Word forms
- Comparative
- more based
- Superlative
- most based
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The company is _____ in London but has offices worldwide.
Etymology
The past tense of the verb base, from base + -ed. The internet slang sense (confidently unapologetic) developed in the 2010s from earlier hip-hop slang.
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for based
See all rhymes for based →Frequently asked questions
What does “based” mean?
The word “based” means having a particular place as one's main location or headquarters. In plain terms, located somewhere, or built on a certain foundation — plus a newer slang meaning of "confidently yourself, no matter what people think.".
How do you pronounce “based”?
“Based” is pronounced bayst (/beɪst/ in IPA).
How do you use “based” in a sentence?
Here is “based” used in a sentence: “The company is based in London but has offices worldwide.”
What part of speech is “based”?
“Based” is an adjective.
Where does the word “based” come from?
The word “based” dates back to around 2010. The past tense of the verb base, from base + -ed. The internet slang sense (confidently unapologetic) developed in the 2010s from earlier hip-hop slang.
Is “based” a common word?
“Based” is a very common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “based” have?
“Based” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: having a particular place as one's main location or headquarters.
What is the difference between 'based in' and 'based on'?
'Based in' refers to location — it tells you where a person, company, or organisation has its main home or headquarters, as in 'a firm based in Berlin'. 'Based on' means derived from or built upon something, as in 'a film based on a true story'. The two are not interchangeable.
What does it mean to be based somewhere?
To be based somewhere means to have that place as your main location or headquarters — the point you operate from, even if you travel elsewhere. A consultant based in London may work all over the country, but London remains the fixed centre of their working life.
What is an example of 'based' used in a sentence?
You might say, 'The company is based in New York but ships worldwide,' or 'She's a photographer based in the countryside.' In each case 'based' points to the single main location a person or organisation operates from, distinct from anywhere they merely visit or serve.
Is 'based' a formal word?
In the location sense, 'based' is neutral and works in both everyday and formal writing — business profiles, news reports, and casual conversation all use it freely. It carries no strong tone of its own, simply stating where someone or something is headquartered or mainly situated.
Featured in
Vocabulary lists that include based:
