Hi Aud. Badass is usually a compliment meaning courageous, strong, bold, fearless, tough, fierce, etc. It's a slang word probably invented by Black Americans, as many popular slang terms are. While informal, badass is not impolite since it is almost always meant positively to praise someone or something. Badass can be an adjective or a noun, as in : She's a badass badass. or She's the baddest ass badass ever! It is used for men and women as well as for those who don't identity as either men or women or those who identify as both. I personally love this word and I only use it to describe or praise people I admire very much. Hope that helps!