Millennials · 1981–1996 · Dating bae
Bae
A term of endearment for a romantic partner.
IN PLAIN ENGLISH“My partner or sweetheart”
ALSO SEARCHED ASbefore anyone else
THE VIBEInternet-native, expressive and self-aware
USE IT INSocial media, texting and 2000s–2010s culture
USE IT LIKE THIS
“Dinner with bae tonight.”
CONTEXT CHECK
The popular ‘before anyone else’ expansion is a backronym, not the established origin.
WORD ORIGIN
Popularized through 2000s–2010s texting, social media, fandom and internet culture.