Cool MateBadass vs Tough
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Badass
InformalBeyond 10,000 (less common)
Tough
Top 1,000 (very common)B2adjective
Most formal: ToughMost common: Tough
| Badass | Tough | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //ˈbæd.ɑːs//🇺🇸 //ˈbæd.æs// | 🇬🇧 /["/tʌf/"]/🇺🇸 /["/tʌf/"]/ |
| Meaning | A tough or impressive person. | Hard or difficult to deal with |
| Example | She is a badass who stands up for what she believes in. | The competition was tough, but I managed to win first place. |
| Register | Informal | Neutral |
| How common | Beyond 10,000 (less common) | Top 1,000 (very common) |
| CEFR level | - | B2 |
| Part of speech | adjective | |
| Collocations | badass attitude, badass style, badass character, badass friend, badass performance | be, seem, get, extremely, fairly, very, on, be, become, get, extremely, fairly, very, on, with, appear, be, feel, extremely, fairly, very, appear, be, feel, extremely, fairly, very |
| Antonyms | coward, weakling | easy, soft, gentle |
| Common mistakes | Using 'badass' in formal writing., Confusing 'badass' with 'bad' - 'badass' has a positive connotation., Not recognizing its use as a compliment. | Using 'tough' as a noun — 'He is a tough' should be 'He is tough'., Confusing 'tough' with 'though' in casual speech., Overusing 'tough' in contexts where 'difficult' is more suitable. |
| Usage notes | Used to describe someone who is strong, confident, or cool. It's informal and often used in casual contexts. | Use 'tough' to describe something that is difficult, whether it's a situation or a person’s character. It's appropriate in both casual and formal contexts but may sound too informal in very serious discussions. |
Frequently asked questions: Badass vs Tough
What's the difference between Badass and Tough?
Badass: A tough or impressive person. Tough: Hard or difficult to deal with
Which is more formal: Badass and Tough?
Tough is the most formal of these.
Which is more common: Badass and Tough?
Tough is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Badass: She is a badass who stands up for what she believes in. Tough: The competition was tough, but I managed to win first place.
Can I use Badass and Tough interchangeably?
Not always. Badass and Tough are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.