noun/adj
badass
BA-das
noun/adj
1
Someone impressively tough, skilled, or fearless, often used admiringly.
"She's a total badass — she climbed the mountain solo in winter."
"That was a badass move, taking on the whole team by yourself."
How to Use Badass
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishImpressively tough, cool, or fearless — usually said as a compliment, though it can also describe someone genuinely aggressive or mean.
When to use it
Informal slang; avoid in formal writing or professional contexts.
Common pairings
total badass
badass move
Word Forms
more badass comparative, badasses plural, most badass superlative
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Etymology
A slang compound of bad and ass, using "bad" in its informal sense of "impressively tough" rather than its usual negative meaning.