big ass: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Medium-High in informal speech; Low in formal contexts.Very informal, slang, often vulgar. Common in casual conversation, pop culture, music, and certain online communities. Generally avoided in professional, academic, or polite company.
Quick answer
What does “big ass” mean?
An intensifier used to emphasize the considerable size, extent, or significance of the following noun. It functions similarly to 'very large', 'major', or 'substantial'.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
An intensifier used to emphasize the considerable size, extent, or significance of the following noun. It functions similarly to 'very large', 'major', or 'substantial'.
In informal slang, can indicate something impressive, formidable, or extreme. Can also refer literally to a large buttocks. Tone ranges from emphatic to humorous to vulgar depending on context.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
More prevalent in American English. British English has equivalent slang intensifiers like 'massive', 'right', 'bloody' + noun, or 'minging' (negative connotation).
Connotations
In AmE, it's a common, though coarse, intensifier. In BrE, its use may be perceived as an Americanism and can sound more conspicuously vulgar or try-hard.
Frequency
Significantly higher frequency in American media and colloquial speech.
Grammar
How to Use “big ass” in a Sentence
[big ass] + Noun (as intensifier)Verb + [big ass] (as object, literal)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “big ass” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- He needs to stop big-assing his way through the problem. (invented, rare)
American English
- Don't try to big-ass the rules just because you're in charge. (invented, rare)
adverb
British English
- It's big-ass expensive. (very informal)
- He failed big-ass. (rare)
American English
- That's big-ass cool! (very informal)
- They won big-ass. (rare)
adjective
British English
- He's dealing with a big-ass logistics nightmare.
- She brought a big-ass cake to the party.
American English
- I've got a big-ass deadline tomorrow.
- He drives a big-ass pickup truck.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Extremely rare and inappropriate.
Academic
Never used.
Everyday
Common in very informal settings among friends, in descriptions for emphasis or humor.
Technical
Not applicable.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “big ass”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “big ass”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “big ass”
- Using in formal writing. Placing after the noun (*'a truck big ass'). Forgetting the hyphen in writing when used as a compound adjective.
- Confusing the intensifier pattern ('big ass car') with the noun phrase ('a big ass').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, it is considered coarse slang. While its impact has softened in some very informal American contexts, it remains inappropriate for formal or polite situations.
'Big ass' is an intensifier for size/scale. 'Badass' is an adjective/noun meaning 'formidably impressive or tough'. They are not interchangeable.
When used as a compound modifier before a noun (e.g., 'a big-ass project'), a hyphen is often used in writing to clarify that it's a single unit modifying the noun. No hyphen is used for the literal noun phrase ('a big ass').
Almost certainly not. It is highly informal and vulgar. Use neutral synonyms like 'major', 'substantial', or 'huge' instead.
An intensifier used to emphasize the considerable size, extent, or significance of the following noun. It functions similarly to 'very large', 'major', or 'substantial'.
Big ass is usually very informal, slang, often vulgar. common in casual conversation, pop culture, music, and certain online communities. generally avoided in professional, academic, or polite company. in register.
Big ass: in British English it is pronounced /ˌbɪɡ ˈɑːs/ (for literal); /ˌbɪɡ ˈæs/ (for intensifier, influenced by AmE), and in American English it is pronounced /ˌbɪɡ ˈæs/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “(to have) a big ass smile (a very wide grin)”
- “big ass on one's shoulders (to act arrogantly) - rare”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a large donkey (an ass) that is also physically BIG. This 'BIG ASS' is used to EMPHASIZE just how large other things are.
Conceptual Metaphor
SIZE IS IMPORTANCE / IMPACT. The physical vulgarity of 'ass' transfers to emphasize the substantive nature of the noun.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'big ass' MOST appropriate?