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
So, thanks to the writers who write this action in and give stunt women the opportunity to be badass. Destiny Jackson, Deadline, 18 Aug. 2025 This is something Kang was championing — badass characters who also veg out on the couch without makeup on. Nicole Fell, HollywoodReporter, 6 Aug. 2025 But, uh, Shelby Stanger: all the things in Yosemite, that sounds pretty badass. Outside Online, 23 July 2025 So is there mutual respect between these two badass Challenge staples Bananas and Cara? Nick Caruso, TVLine, 2 Aug. 2025 And then, of course, there's the Disney legend from The Princess and the Frog, Mufasa: The Lion King, and Dreamgirls in the badass role of a future Black Panther. EW.com, 1 Aug. 2025 In the sequel, which premiered on Netflix on July 2, Nile is more confident, badass, and daring. Taryn Finley, refinery29.com, 10 July 2025 Will Twisted Metal viewers ever learn the real name of Quiet, the badass car thief played by Stephanie Beatriz? EW.com, 25 July 2025 The 44-year-old Texan has worn badass on his sleeve from the get-go, cutting the coolest figure in country music for the better part of a decade in his brash voice, hard-living lyrics, and modern long-haired outlaw. Josh Crutchmer, Rolling Stone, 25 July 2025

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

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Cite this Entry

“Badass.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/badass. Accessed 23 Aug. 2025.

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