b-a-s-e
BASE means foundation, bottom, or starting point. As a verb, it means to establish or ground something. From military bases to baseball, this versatile word anchors many concepts.
6
Points in Scrabble
Base tile values • No multipliers applied
BASE serves as one of English's most versatile words, functioning as noun, verb, and adjective. At its core, base means the bottom, foundation, or fundamental support of something—the part on which everything else rests or depends. This multifaceted word appears across diverse fields from architecture to chemistry. As a noun, base refers to foundations (base of a building), starting points (base of operations), or essential components (knowledge base). In chemistry, a base is a substance that neutralizes acids. In mathematics, it's the number system foundation (base 10). In baseball, it's the canvas squares runners must touch. Military bases serve as operational headquarters.Common meanings of base:
The word base has dual etymological origins, creating its diverse meanings. The primary origin comes from Latin basis (foundation), borrowed from Greek βάσις (basis), meaning "step, pedestal, or foundation." This gave us the "foundation" meaning—anything that supports or underlies something else. The secondary origin, meaning "low or worthless," comes from Old French bas (low), from Late Latin bassus (short, low). This created the moral sense of "base" as despicable or without honor—base metals (non-precious), base motives (ignoble), or base behavior (contemptible). These two etymologies merged in Middle English, creating fascinating ambiguities. A "base person" could mean someone of low social standing (foundation/bottom of society) or someone morally corrupt (despicable). Context determines which meaning applies, though both suggest something fundamental yet potentially negative about position or character.
•Baseball has 4 bases, making "base" central to America's pastime
•"Base jumping" is named for Building, Antenna, Span, Earth—the jump points
•The word "database" revolutionized information storage in the 1960s
•BASE forms over 50 compound words: baseball, baseline, database, baseboard
"The climbers established their base camp at 17,000 feet."
"We need to base our decision on solid evidence."
"Her accusations were completely base and unfounded."
Words with similar meaning
Foundation
Supporting structure
Bottom
Lowest part
Origin
Starting point
Headquarters
Operations center
Words with opposite meaning
Peak
Highest point
Top
Upper part
Noble
Honorable (vs base)
Acid
Chemical opposite
Plural Form
bases
Multiple foundations
Verb Forms
based, basing
To establish
Comparative
baser, basest
More/most low
Common Compounds
Expedition headquarters
Information foundation
Central location
Build from BASE:
Baseball made "base" central to American culture. The four bases create the game's diamond, with "home base" representing both start and goal. Baseball metaphors permeate American English: "touch base" (communicate), "off base" (wrong), "cover all bases" (be thorough), and romantic "bases" (levels of intimacy). The sport transformed a simple word into a complex cultural symbol of progress, achievement, and coming home.
In chemistry, bases (alkaline substances) oppose acids, creating the pH scale foundation. This scientific usage revolutionized our understanding of chemical reactions. Common bases like sodium hydroxide (lye) and ammonia shape everyday life from soap-making to cleaning. The acid-base concept extends metaphorically—we speak of "basic" (fundamental) versus "acidic" (corrosive) personalities, showing how scientific terminology influences social language.
The compound "database" transformed information management. Coined in the 1960s, it combined "data" with "base" to describe organized information foundations. This neologism spawned an entire industry and changed how humanity stores knowledge. From library card catalogs to Google's vast databases, the concept of a "base" for data became fundamental to the Information Age, proving how old words gain new life through technology.
Base vs. Bass
Foundation vs. low tone/fish
Base vs. Basis
Foundation vs. underlying principle
Based vs. Biased
Founded on vs. prejudiced
BASS
Low tone/fish
BASIS
Foundation principle
BASIC
Fundamental
BARE
Uncovered
BARS
Metal rods
BASK
Lie in warmth
BOTTOM
Lowest part
FOUNDATION
Supporting base
ACID
Chemical opposite
ALKALINE
Basic pH
Total base points: 6 (Scrabble)
Vowels: 2 | Consonants: 2
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