Bastard
/ˈbæstərd/
nounIntermediateCommonGeneral
Meanings
Question
Definitions
2 meanings1
A child whose parents were not married at the time of their birth.
/ˈbæstərd/
nounnegativeIntermediate
General
A person born of parents not married to each other.
He was branded a bastard because of his parents' unmarried status.
💡 Simply: A child born out of wedlock.
How It's Used
Historical
"In the medieval period, the term 'bastard' carried significant social implications."
2
Of poor quality, spurious, or illegitimate.
/ˈbæstərd/
adjectivenegativeIntermediate
General
Of inferior quality or illegitimate.
This is a bastard system that needs to be changed.
💡 Simply: Bad, poorly made, or illegitimate.
How It's Used
Informal
"That's a bastard of a problem!"
Tip:Think of something 'bastardized' - corrupted or of poor quality.
Originating from Old French *bastard, ultimately from Latin *bastus meaning "pack-saddle," implying illegitimacy.
Historically, the term carried strong negative connotations and legal implications.
Memory tip
Think of 'base' - often used to imply low birth.
Practice
bastradbastardd
Usage
20%Spoken
80%Written