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 that’s what makes this brand behavior so credible and noteworthy coming from the United States—nobody can own badass leadership better than the United States of America. Jeetendr Sehdev, Forbes, 6 Nov. 2024 Like saying high-tech wool or hydrophobic down, talking about a flannel being a badass performance piece felt like an oversell. Bryan Rogala, Outside Online, 3 Nov. 2024 In true Olivia Benson style, Hargitay nailed some pretty badass moves in the tight outfit, including some squats and high kicks. Michelle Lee, People.com, 1 Nov. 2024 Anya Taylor-Joy, who is undoubtedly one of the most versatile actors working today, shines in the role of Imperator Furiosa, a badass emancipator who dares to challenge gender conventions in a dangerous, postapocalyptic world where (no surprise at all) men make the rules. Jennifer M. Wood, WIRED, 29 Oct. 2024 Pablo’s daughter is a badass helicopter pilot with two bronze stars and a silver and four tours in Afghanistan. Andy Andersen, Vulture, 28 Oct. 2024 In a badass elf team-up, Arondir and Elrond take down a massive hill troll that stomps through the battlefield. Jordan Moreau, Variety, 26 Sep. 2024 Critics had their knives out for this counterterrorism action series on Paramount+, starring Zoe Saldana as a CIA operative named Joe who trains female assassins—among them, a badass marine named Cruz played to the hilt by the relatively unknown Laysla De Oliveira. Taylor Antrim, Vogue, 25 Oct. 2024 Our will to push, to persevere, to achieve, is undeniably badass—we’re talented in that regard—and therein lies the problem. Outside Online, 23 Oct. 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 28 Nov. 2024.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!