Definition

A man who is known for being violent or having a criminal background, often associated with the lawlessness of the Old West in the United States.

Example

The badman rode into town, causing fear among the residents.

Conversation

Did you hear about that badman who was caught last week?

Yeah, I saw it on the news; he had quite the reputation.

It’s crazy how some people get so wrapped up in that lifestyle.

I know, right? It’s like they want to be remembered as a badman.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

The word 'badman' is formed from 'bad' (from Old English 'bædd', meaning evil or wicked) and 'man' (from Old English 'mann', meaning human being or person). The term 'badman' refers to a man who is considered evil or wicked.

Memory Tip

Think of 'bad' meaning evil and 'man' referring to a person — a badman is simply a person who is evil.

Visually Confused Words