bae

¹ American  

[bey] / beɪ /

noun

1. an affectionate term used to address or refer to one’s girlfriend, boyfriend, spouse, etc..

   I love you, bae.

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adjective

baeer, baeest

1. greatly admired or loved.

2. very cool; great.

   His accent is so totally bae!

BAE ² American  

1. Bureau of Agricultural Economics.

2. Bureau of American Ethnology.

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B.A.E. ³ American  

abbreviation

1. Bachelor of Aeronautical Engineering.

2. Bachelor of Agricultural Engineering.

3. Bachelor of Architectural Engineering.

4. Bachelor of Art Education.

5. Bachelor of Arts in Education.

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Sensitive Note

Like similar uses of babe and baby, the word bae may sometimes be disparaging or offensive when used to refer to someone considered attractive or when used to address a stranger or casual acquaintance.

Usage

What does bae mean? Bae is a slang term for one’s significant other or an object of affection, often used to address them, e.g., I love you, bae!

Etymology

Origin of bae

An Americanism first recorded in 2000–05; probably a shortening of babe or baby

Example Sentences

“You wanna leave, gal, then I won’t hold you/Don’t say you need me, bae, ’cause I done told you/You keep walking around, you acting like I owe you, but I don’t owe you, girl.”

From New York Times • Jan. 11, 2022

Adewunmi: Self-aware and good-natured: That’s classic bae behavior.

From Slate • Nov. 6, 2019

Colbert imagined next, he'd say, "'WTF bae, this guy’s thirsty af, it’s lit fidget spinner, hashtag Ken Bone.'"

From Salon • Jul. 13, 2018

Photo c shows Velella bae, which resembles a flying saucer with a blue bottom and a clear, dome-shaped top.

From Textbooks • Jan. 1, 2015

S. ta'e. tataga v. i., bae tataga, to speak blasphemously. tatagala adj., bae tatagala, to speak blasphemously. tatagwelu adj., headlong.

From Grammar and Vocabulary of the Lau Language, Solomon Islands by Ivens, W. G. (Walter George)