adjective
Music Slang
Bad
/bæd/ · adjective · slang
An ironic reversal meaning extremely good, impressive, or tough.
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Definitions
1
Stylish and cool in a commanding, confident way.
“She looked bad in that leather jacket.”
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2
Excellent or impressive, the opposite of its literal meaning.
“That's the baddest car on the whole block.”
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3
Tough, formidable, and not to be messed with.
“He's a bad dude, nobody crosses him.”
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Bad In A Sentence
Their horn section is bad, tightest I ever heard.
That's a bad pair of shades you got there.
He plays the baddest bass in the city.
Origin & Usage
The ironic use of 'bad' to mean good has deep roots in Black American vernacular reaching back to the 19th century, but it became especially prominent in 1970s funk, soul, and street culture as the ultimate compliment for skill, toughness, or style.
People Also Ask
What does bad mean in slang?
Used positively, it means extremely good, impressive, tough, or stylish.
Where did bad meaning good come from?
From Black American vernacular dating back over a century, prominent in 1970s funk and soul culture.
How do you know if bad means good?
Context and tone — 'the baddest dancer' is praise, while 'a bad day' keeps the literal meaning.
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