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

She, too, soon returned Bob to Badass, citing the difficulty of his care.

From Slate • Sep. 4, 2025

The 400-plus page “Matriarch” charts her poor upbringing in Galveston, Texas, under the self-ascribed nickname Badass Tenie B; dabbling in singing, sewing and beauty; and her tumultuous marriage to Mathew Knowles.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 22, 2025

Her semi-autobiographical book Badass, released in 2010, encouraged young women to live life with attitude and confidence.

From BBC • Jul. 14, 2024

Fans even stuck by him through the American Badass era, a strange time when the Lord of Darkness rode a chopper and patriotically waved a US flag.

From The Guardian • Nov. 23, 2020

As I walk through the halls, there’s no telling what Badass British Finch might do.

From "All The Bright Places" by Jennifer Niven