Kick-ass
What it means
Exceptionally impressive, powerful, or effective.
Reach for it when giving forceful slang praise where profanity-adjacent language suits the audience
The drummer delivered a kick-ass solo during the encore.
Words to choose between 7
| playful |
|
|---|---|
| everyday | |
| warm | |
| professional | |
| formal |
-
playful
Fits when fearless competence and attitude are both admired
Careful Badass is equally slangy and can glorify aggression.
-
everyday
Fits when strong approval needs no slang
Careful Excellent is restrained and loses the forceful swagger of kick-ass.
-
warm
Fits when creative or intellectual excellence deserves enthusiasm
Careful Brilliant fits insight and execution better than raw force.
-
warm
Fits when performance is genuinely extraordinary
Careful Phenomenal is frequently inflated and lacks the tough edge.
-
professional
Fits when performance clearly exceeds the relevant standard
Careful Outstanding sounds evaluative rather than visceral.
-
professional
Fits when impact or force is the measurable strength
Careful Powerful may be harmful or emotionally heavy rather than excellent.
-
formal
Fits when power and capability command respect
Careful Formidable can intimidate and does not automatically mean enjoyable.
Opposites 3
- weak
- ineffective
- mediocre
Common phrases 3
-
kick-ass performance
The band gave a kick-ass performance without drowning out the singer.
-
kick-ass team
A kick-ass team delivered the rescue plan under severe time pressure.
-
kick-ass design
The compact chair has a kick-ass design that still supports repairs.
Usage notes
Keep in mind
Kick-ass is slang and can be offensive or unprofessional. It should never be the default wording for a mixed audience.
Definitions and examples are written for this site. How words are chosen Recording: Flame, not lame, American accent, from Wikimedia Commons, CC0 Updated