badass

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "badass" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe someone or something that is impressive, tough, or admirable, often in a bold or rebellious way. Example: "She handled the situation like a badass, standing up for herself and refusing to back down."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Where instead of being a badass in LA, you can be a goodass on a communal farm in Andalusia.

The Guardian - Opinion

I want my team of rangers to be the best, most badass team of rangers ever, so of course, I base them on my friends.

The Guardian - Tech

That can mean fancier patrol cars, badass hardware or simply keeping the budget plump in lean times.

The Economist

Was he really a badass city boy?

The Economist

The full official synopsis reads like this: "Ever since her short-lived stint as a superhero ended in tragedy, Jessica Jones has been rebuilding her personal life and career as a hot-tempered, sardonic, badass private detective in Hell's Kitchen, New York City.

Independent

"I corrected her nicely by simply saying "my goal is to regain my core strength and endurance...I'm not worried by how my body looks, only how it functions...it can be pretty badass".

Independent

The actor talks to Tom Teodorczuk about why flawed is more interesting than perfect, and why doing despicable things needn't make a person unlikable 'The Booker overshadows everything else - I just don't think it's very healthy' The Australian Orange Is The New Black's actress and influential LGBT ambassador sports sultry cat eyes and hot pink lips, showcasing her badass signature tattoos.

Independent

Everything could look very badass – but still have a little 1960s flair to it.

Independent

Punctuated with swear words - because she's a badass okay?- Schumer spoke about body confidence and acceptance of her own identity, despite what the distortive media can force upon women.

Independent

Emails sent between Hiddleston and Avengers director Joss Whedon surfaced recently in which the actor enthuses about his role, saying: "It's grand and epic and majestic and poetic and lyrical and wicked and rich and badass and might possibly be the most gloriously fun part I've ever stared down the barrel of playing.

Independent

Imperator Furiosa takes the wheel as the story's badass.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "badass" to describe characters or situations that embody a bold, rebellious, and admirable attitude, especially where conventional praise might fall short.

Common error

While "badass" is acceptable in many informal contexts, avoid using it in formal writing or professional settings. Opt for alternatives like "impressive" or "formidable" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The word "badass" functions primarily as an adjective, modifying nouns to describe someone or something as exceptionally tough, impressive, or rebellious. Ludwig examples show it describing a "badass" team, hardware, or even a "badass" leader.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

96%

Science

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the term "badass" is a grammatically sound and very common adjective used to describe someone or something as exceptionally tough, impressive, or rebellious. As confirmed by Ludwig, it functions to convey strong admiration, primarily within informal contexts such as News & Media. When writing, use "badass" to describe characters or situations that embody a bold, rebellious, and admirable attitude, especially where conventional praise might fall short but avoid overusing it in professional contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

tough

Implies resilience and strength, lacking the intensity of "badass".

hardcore

Emphasizes an uncompromising or intense approach.

impressive

Highlights the ability to evoke admiration through skill or quality, without necessarily implying toughness.

fierce

Suggests an intensity of character, often associated with aggression or passion.

formidable

Emphasizes the quality of inspiring fear or respect through being impressively large, powerful, or capable.

powerful

Indicates great strength or influence, but not necessarily in a rebellious or unconventional way.

intimidating

Focuses on the capacity to cause fear or apprehension.

unstoppable

Suggests an inability to be halted or defeated, highlighting a sense of invincibility.

extreme

Highlights deviation from the norm in intensity or character.

unconventional

Emphasizes a deviation from established norms or practices, capturing the rebellious aspect of "badass".

FAQs

How can I use "badass" in a sentence?

You can use "badass" to describe someone or something impressive, tough, or admirable. For example, "She's a "badass" CEO who turned the company around".

What's a less informal alternative to "badass"?

If you need a more formal alternative, consider using words like "formidable", "impressive", or "powerful", depending on the context.

Is "badass" appropriate for professional communication?

Generally, no. "Badass" is considered informal and may not be suitable for professional or academic communication. Use more formal alternatives like "effective" or "strong" instead.

What's the difference between "badass" and "tough"?

While both terms describe strength, "badass" implies a more rebellious and unconventional kind of strength or impressiveness, while "tough" simply suggests resilience and durability.