Am I Basic?

Take this quiz to find out!

Being basic is just a way to say that you rock the latest trends and enjoy popular, mainstream things, from the shows you watch to the music you listen to. Everyone is a little bit basic, and there’s nothing wrong with that! After all, basic things are popular for a reason!

If you’re curious about where you fall on the basic scale (Utterly unconventional? Or noticeably normal?), you’ve come to the right place. Click "Start Quiz" to discover just how basic you really are.

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Questions Overview

1. It’s time to relax! Pick a show to binge.
  1. A reality show ( Love is Blind , The Bachelor , etc).
  2. A popular sitcom ( Modern Family , Abbott Elementary , etc).
  3. A drama ( Suits , Outer Banks , etc).
  4. A fantasy show ( Game of Thrones , Stranger Things , etc).
2. How would you describe your style?
  1. On-trend and stylish
  2. Casual and comfortable
  3. Timeless and tailored
  4. Bold and eye-catching
3. Pick a meal to have for dinner:
  1. A hamburger and fries
  2. Lasagna and a side salad
  3. Fish tacos and chips
  4. Oysters
4. You just won a free vacation! Where are you going?
  1. Hawaii
  2. France
  3. New Zealand
  4. Antarctica
5. Pick an audio to listen to:
  1. A pop culture podcast that does celeb interviews.
  2. A podcast that discusses your favorite movie, TV show, or game.
  3. A book on tape from a bestselling author.
  4. A podcast on personality psychology or a niche historical event.
6. It’s your turn to DJ for your friends! What music are you playing?
  1. Something currently on Billboard Hot 100.
  2. Something old, but really famous (like classic rock, for example).
  3. Something from my favorite indie playlist—maybe Phoebe Bridgers or Hozier!
  4. Something I’m positive no one here would’ve heard (like an artist with 1k monthly listeners).
7. Pick a drink:
  1. An iced coffee or diet Coke
  2. A cappuccino or a root beer
  3. A nice cup of tea
  4. Cranberry or pomegranate juice
8. Pick a superpower:
  1. Flying
  2. Super speed or strength
  3. Invisibility
  4. The ability to stop time or control the weather
9. Phew, you’re finally home after a long day. What are you doing to unwind?
  1. Watching TikTok or gaming.
  2. Watching TV or a movie.
  3. Drawing, playing an instrument, working out, or baking.
  4. Doing a hobby that none of my friends do (like needlepoint, archery, or beekeeping).
10. Tell us about your social media use:
  1. I’m active on every platform, and I post constantly about my life. Why not? It’s fun!
  2. I have a TikTok/IG/BeReal/Twitter, and I post a normal amount.
  3. I don’t use social media.
  4. I have an account dedicated to a niche interest, like cosplaying or Greek mythology, and post only about that.
11. Pick a quote to have on a sign in your home:
  1. Good vibes only
  2. Not all who wander are lost
  3. Welcome to our beautiful chaos
  4. This must be the place
12. Pick a pet:
  1. A cat or a dog
  2. A bird or a bunny
  3. A rat or a frog
  4. A python, pig, tarantula, or duck

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You might love following the latest fads and sticking to what\u2019s mainstream, but that\u2019s actually what makes you cool. You\u2019re probably totally up to date on pop culture, and you can talk to anyone about basically every reality show. To us, it sounds like you\u2019re a pretty fun person (and we totally wish we were friends with you!).","edit_links":[{"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Love-Yourself"},{"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Be-Yourself"}],"link_data":[{"title":"Loving Yourself: Simple and Easy Ways to Practice Self-Love Every Day","id":65169,"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Love-Yourself","image":"\/images\/thumb\/e\/e1\/Love-Yourself-Step-25-Version-3.jpg\/-crop-200-200-200px-Love-Yourself-Step-25-Version-3.jpg","alt":"Loving Yourself: Simple and Easy Ways to Practice Self-Love Every Day"},{"title":"How to Be Yourself","id":108432,"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Be-Yourself","image":"\/images\/thumb\/7\/76\/Be-Yourself-Step-19.jpg\/-crop-200-200-200px-Be-Yourself-Step-19.jpg","alt":"How to Be Yourself"}],"minimum":0},{"text":"You\u2019re a little basic.","meaning":"You might love embracing the current trends and staying up to date on what\u2019s popular, but you also like dabbling in things that aren\u2019t totally mainstream. Your playlist is probably a mix of top-40 hits and lesser-known artists. While you probably rock the latest styles, you also wear signature pieces that make your look completely you. You're a total mix of basic and unique, and that's what makes you so mysterious! Just when people think they have you figured out, you break out a super niche interest or fun fact. We love that about you!

And it goes without saying, even though \"basic\" people get a bad rep, being basic just means you like mainstream things. And popular songs, trends, shows, and hobbies are popular for a reason! So don't be afraid to lean into the basic side of your personality. There's no shame in that!","edit_links":[{"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Love-Yourself"},{"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Be-Yourself"}],"link_data":[{"title":"Loving Yourself: Simple and Easy Ways to Practice Self-Love Every Day","id":65169,"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Love-Yourself","image":"\/images\/thumb\/e\/e1\/Love-Yourself-Step-25-Version-3.jpg\/-crop-200-200-200px-Love-Yourself-Step-25-Version-3.jpg","alt":"Loving Yourself: Simple and Easy Ways to Practice Self-Love Every Day"},{"title":"How to Be Yourself","id":108432,"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Be-Yourself","image":"\/images\/thumb\/7\/76\/Be-Yourself-Step-19.jpg\/-crop-200-200-200px-Be-Yourself-Step-19.jpg","alt":"How to Be Yourself"}],"minimum":0},{"text":"You\u2019re barely basic.","meaning":"Everybody is a little basic sometimes...but for the most part, based on your answers, it seems like you're a pretty unique person! When you talk about your music taste, no one knows the artist. When you cook dinner for your friends, it's always a food they haven't tried. You travel to the coolest places, read the randomest books, and have the nichest interests around. In short: you're way less basic than the average person!

Of course, everyone has a basic streak. Maybe you love listening to top-100 hits or you only ever rock on-style clothes. There's no shame in that; popular things are popular for a reason!","edit_links":[{"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Be-an-Individual"},{"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Find-a-Hobby"}],"link_data":[{"title":"How to Be an Individual","id":73048,"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Be-an-Individual","image":"\/images\/thumb\/0\/02\/Be-an-Individual-Step-20.jpg\/-crop-200-200-200px-Be-an-Individual-Step-20.jpg","alt":"How to Be an Individual"},{"title":"Your Ultimate Guide for Finding a New Hobby You Enjoy","id":32452,"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Find-a-Hobby","image":"\/images\/thumb\/7\/73\/Find-a-Hobby-Step-18-Version-4.jpg\/-crop-200-200-200px-Find-a-Hobby-Step-18-Version-4.jpg","alt":"Your Ultimate Guide for Finding a New Hobby You Enjoy"}],"minimum":0},{"text":"You're 0% basic!","meaning":"When people think of you, \"basic\" is probably the last thing on their mind. You\u2019re not opposed to mainstream things (and you probably think a lot of \u201cbasic\u201d things are fun and cool), but you just mostly do your own thing! Your favorite music genres might be ones that no one has ever heard of, like \u201cSeapunk\u201d or \u201cFuture house.\u201d Your daily wear might be super unique, eye-catching thrifts that no one can copy. You're into random hobbies, like beekeeping and needlepoint. You know the craziest fun facts from all the niche books you've read. Basically: you're totally your own person, unlike anyone else, and the furthest thing from basic. You sound pretty awesome!","edit_links":[{"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Be-an-Individual"},{"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Find-a-Hobby"}],"link_data":[{"title":"How to Be an Individual","id":73048,"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Be-an-Individual","image":"\/images\/thumb\/0\/02\/Be-an-Individual-Step-20.jpg\/-crop-200-200-200px-Be-an-Individual-Step-20.jpg","alt":"How to Be an Individual"},{"title":"Your Ultimate Guide for Finding a New Hobby You Enjoy","id":32452,"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Find-a-Hobby","image":"\/images\/thumb\/7\/73\/Find-a-Hobby-Step-18-Version-4.jpg\/-crop-200-200-200px-Find-a-Hobby-Step-18-Version-4.jpg","alt":"Your Ultimate Guide for Finding a New Hobby You Enjoy"}],"minimum":0}]" class="quiz_results_data"/>\"What<\/picture>","alt":"What Tarot Card Am I Quiz"},{"title":"What Crystal Do I Need Quiz","id":13565031,"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/What-Crystal-Do-I-Need","image":"\"What<\/picture>","alt":"What Crystal Do I Need Quiz"},{"title":"What Chakra Do I Need to Balance Quiz","id":13493119,"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Chakra-Test","image":"\"Chakra<\/picture>","alt":"What Chakra Do I Need to Balance Quiz"}],"number":1},{"text":"Romance, for sure.","result":"Awesome. Take these quizzes to learn more about your heart:","next_quizzes":[{"title":"Will I Ever Find Love Quiz","id":14125254,"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Relationships\/Will-I-Ever-Find-Love","image":"\"Will<\/picture>","alt":"Will I Ever Find Love Quiz"},{"title":"Sexuality Quiz","id":14200386,"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Relationships\/Sexuality-Quiz","image":"\"Sexuality<\/picture>","alt":"Sexuality Quiz"},{"title":"What's My Dating Style?","id":13985535,"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Smile-Dating-Test","image":"\"Smile<\/picture>","alt":"What's My Dating Style?"}],"number":2}]}" class="quiz_questionnaire_data"/>

What Does “Basic” Mean?

Basic is a slang term that typically describes someone or something as mainstream, conventional, and unoriginal. Some people might see basic as a negative or use it to describe people and things as boring, but know there’s nothing wrong with being basic or enjoying basic things! You still have a unique personality and interests even if you like what’s popular. Plus, basic things are popular for a reason—they’re universally loved and fun.

Basic Examples Basic is often (unfairly) associated with women or more feminine interests. However, any person of any gender can be basic. In the same way that popular, feminine-leaning interests are considered basic, popular, masculine-leaning ones can be basic too. And again, the most important takeaway is that there’s nothing wrong with being basic. Here are some popular activities associated with the term "basic:"

  • Drinking pumpkin spice lattes
  • Following popular clothing trends
  • Listening to pop music or songs in the Top 40
  • Taking selfies
  • Watching reality TV
  • Decorating your home with items from big-box stores, like Target
  • Getting a popular tattoo, like a quote, lion, flower, or snake

Basic Origins Basic is African American Vernacular English (AAVE) slang that means someone is unoriginal, a follower, or lacks an “It” factor. It was popularized by Klymaxx’s 1984 song called Meeting in the Ladies’ Room. In 2011, the singer Kreayshawn made basic a pop culture staple with her song called Gucci Gucci. As basic gained more popularity in the 2010s, it slowly morphed to describe people and things that are mainstream.

Want to learn more?

For more information about popular things and what it means to be basic, check out these guides below:

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