badass

1 of 2

adjective

bad·​ass ˈbad-ˌas How to pronounce badass (audio)
1
chiefly US, informal + sometimes impolite : ready to cause or get into trouble : mean
pretending to be a badass gunslingerL. L. King
2
chiefly US, informal + sometimes impolite : of formidable strength or skill
such a badass guitar playerN'Gai Croal

badass

2 of 2

noun

chiefly US, informal + sometimes impolite
: a person who is badass

Examples of badass in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
And to lie to the audience like, Peter’s this badass that doesn’t get hurt? Max Gao, The Hollywood Reporter, 25 Jan. 2025 In turn, feeling like a badass on the rower may just imbue you with confidence that spills over into other areas of your life, like finally asking for the promotion at work or drumming up the nerve to invite that cute barista on a date. Christa Sgobba, SELF, 3 Jan. 2025 Claressa is so inspiring, such a badass, and nobody knew her story. Margy Rochlin, Los Angeles Times, 7 Jan. 2025 What was director Don Siegel and writers Harry and R.M. Fink’s motivation in making a movie that shows a badass and mythical character solving the flaws of a current system? Jude Reid, IndieWire, 26 Dec. 2024 Sort of like Shadows of the Damned or No More Heroes, the main character is pretty badass this time around too. Justin Koreis, Rolling Stone, 21 Dec. 2024 The movie might be set in the early 19th century, but its hero is a 21st century badass. Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 20 Dec. 2024 But Armstrong gets to play the savvier, less naive Fern as a bit more of a badass, though all four kids are in over their heads when the ship’s malfunctioning droid (Nick Frost) navigates them straight into a pirate den. Alison Herman, Variety, 3 Dec. 2024 Garner has played one badass character after the next, and The Royal Hotel is no exception. Jennifer M. Wood, WIRED, 7 Nov. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1955, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1956, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of badass was in 1955

Dictionary Entries Near badass

Cite this Entry

“Badass.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/badass. Accessed 1 Feb. 2025.

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