plural bastards
1
informal
a
offensive
: a very bad or unpleasant man : a man who you strongly dislike or hate
You dirty bastard!
b
sometimes offensive
: a man who you think is lucky, unlucky, etc.
Congratulations on getting the job, you lucky bastard!
His wife left him, the poor bastard.
c
chiefly British, sometimes offensive
: something that is difficult or unpleasant
Life can be a real bastard sometimes.
2
usually offensive
: a person whose parents were not married to each other : an illegitimate child
—sometimes used before another noun
the bastard son of a wealthy noble
Note: This use of bastard was common in the past, but it is now usually avoided.
Cite this Entry
“Bastard.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/bastard. Accessed 23 Jun. 2026.
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