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

The University of Cambridge graduate proclaimed to all young girls watching on BBC TV: "You can be an academic badass and a track goddess."

From BBC • Mar. 19, 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

“And I do think that maybe some people, especially young people, think ‘she’s kinda badass.’

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 3, 2025

He would be the stay-at-home parent during the first three months, which Grace thought was pretty badass.

From "Far from the Tree" by Robin Benway