badass

American  

[bad-as] / ˈbædˌæs /

adjective

1. (of a person) difficult to deal with; mean-tempered and sometimes violent.

2. so tough, assertive, or independent as to be somewhat intimidating.

   He is one badass sheriff who stops at nothing to solve a mystery.

3. awesome or impressive; worthy of admiration: a bluegrass band with a badass fiddler.

   badass American sports cars;

   a bluegrass band with a badass fiddler.

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noun

1. a mean-tempered troublemaker.

2. a somewhat intimidating person who is tough, assertive, or independent.

   She’s a corporate badass who knows her worth.

badass British  

/ ˈbædˌæs /

noun

1. a tough or aggressive person

   the meanest badass in town

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adjective

1. tough or aggressive

   a badass rock band

2. excellent

   a real badass watch

Etymology

Origin of badass

First recorded in 1950–55; bad ¹ + ass ²

Example Sentences

"Not because I'm lying about anything, but because I'm a badass," she added.

From BBC • Jan. 14, 2026

The point being that I should not expect to be a badass street officer on Day 1.

From Slate • Jan. 13, 2026

“Make a movie where he is an absolute badass but also has some heart.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 9, 2025

“They’ve been waiting for this their whole life, this opportunity to just be a badass or whatever they think,” Dunham said.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 29, 2025

We cut through the science hallway and down the back stairs, toward the music room, where there appears to be some pretty badass drum and guitar business going on behind closed doors.

From "Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda" by Becky Albertalli