based

Based is a slang term used in online culture to describe a person or statement that is considered authentic, unapologetic, and grounded in a person’s own beliefs, rather than conforming to prevailing norms. The sense is generally positive or admiring, though it can be used ironically depending on context.

Its modern usage traces to the revival of the term basehead and was popularized in the 2010s by the rapper Lil B, who called himself "The Based God" and used based to describe being true to oneself without regard for others' judgments. From Lil B, the word spread through memes and forums and broadened to describe any stance seen as fearless or genuine, even when controversial.

Online, "based" is often applied to praise a contrarian or unpopular opinion, or a straightforward declaration that rejects political correctness or mainstream sentiment. It is common in memes, comments, and exchanges on social media, sometimes paired with "redpill" in phrases like "based and redpilled." The term's reach has led to varied uses across communities, and it can carry different political or cultural connotations depending on context; in some settings it has been used to signal far-right alignment, which has raised concerns about interpretation.

A related term is "unbased," used to express disagreement with a perceived based stance. The usage of based is informal and highly context-dependent, with meanings shifting across communities and over time.