How to pronounce badass
Say it like BAD-as. Badass has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (BAD).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce badass. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- BAD
- as
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Badass pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- BADSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "a" in cat.
- asGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "a" in cat.
American vs British pronunciation of badass
American and British speakers say badass in essentially the same way: /ˈbæˌdæs/ in the US and /ˈbædæs/ in the UK.
British respelling: BAD-as.
What does badass mean?
- A belligerent or mean person; a person with an unpleasantly extreme appearance, attitudes, or behavior.“Don’t mess with that guy, he’s a real badass.”
- A person considered impressive due to courage, skill, daring, audacity, and/or toughness.
- Belligerent and troublesome.
- Having an extreme appearance, attitude, or behavior that is considered admirable.“That tough guy looks badass.”
Where does badass come from?
From bad + ass (“buttocks; one's self or person”).
Questions about saying badass
How do you pronounce badass?
Say BAD-as. The American pronunciation is /ˈbæˌdæs/. In British English it is /ˈbædæs/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in badass?
Badass has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (BAD). Broken into parts: BAD · as.
Do Americans and Brits say badass the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈbæˌdæs/ and the British form is /ˈbædæs/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.