baddie

noun

bad·​die ˈba-dē 

variants or less commonly baddy

plural baddies

1

informal : a bad person or thing

And that coaching pick. I admit, lots of NBA [=National Basketball Association] people think it's a goodie. Well, I think it's a baddie.

—Tom Kertes

These cells are used to winning—they take down baddies such as viruses and bacteria on a daily basis.

—Daniel Strain

especially : the villain in a story : bad guy

… Darth Maul, the stylishly malevolent baddie whose toys are flying off shelves.

—Newsweek

… a mustachioed baddy fighting a plucky heroine, both of them kicking and whirling …

—Louisa Lim

2

slang : a person (especially a woman) who is confident, stylish, and attractive

felt/looked/dressed like a baddie

If you wear your style with pride, you are a baddie.

—Gerrita Bikker

… every hot baddie stomping down the sidewalk to the beat of her own drum …

—Kristy Puchko

… a great layering piece that also adds … the ultimate baddie vibes to any look.

—Tarah-Lynn Saint-Elien

Note: Usage of this sense originated in African American English and has since become widespread.

Did you know?

Slang Meaning of Baddie

Baddie has a slang meaning, referring to someone (usually a woman) who is confident, stylish, and attractive. Learn more >

Synonyms of baddie

• villain
• brute
• monster

Examples of baddie in a Sentence

the actor has never been cast as a hero, but he's played every kind of baddie imaginable

Recent Examples on the Web

The villain-combo movie would put the breathing-apparatus Batman baddie, Bane, back on screen for his first appearance since 2012’s Christopher Nolan-directed The Dark Knight Rises, then portrayed by Tom Hardy. —Justin Kroll, Deadline, 8 May 2026

Her assignment is to track down and capture various Imperial baddies still running around who threaten to ignite another war with the New Republic. —Brian Truitt, USA Today, 4 May 2026

This summer, Yitty Swim is debuting its largest collection of bathing suits with more than 25 new styles ranging from sizes XS to 6X that the brand markets for every body and every baddie. —Michelle Lee, PEOPLE, 1 May 2026

Naturally, trouble spoils the crew’s relaxation in the form of an ocean princess named Yura (Allegra Clark; Saoiri Onishi) on the run from baddies Zodon (Christopher Corey Smith; Koichi Domoto) and Djeese (Yuri Lowenthal; Koji Yusa). —Beatrice Loayza, Variety, 1 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

bad entry 1 + -ie

First Known Use

1872, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for baddie

• addy
• caddie
• caddy
• daddy
• gaddi
• laddie
• paddy
• granddaddy