A badge is usually a small item that shows a person’s identitywho a person is or what makes them recognizable, rank, or membershipthe state of being part of a group or organization. It can also mean something that symbolizesstands for or represents an idea, quality, or status a quality or status, as in “a badge of honor.” As a verb, it means to give someone a badge.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-17. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Pronunciation
AI-generated pronunciation audio (OpenAI).
Accent: General American English
IPA: /bædʒ/
Easy pronunciation: BADJ (approximate spelling).
Stress: One syllable; the single syllable is stressed.
Noun sense: an emblem worn to show rank, membership, or affiliation.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-17. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Badge Meaning
a small sign worn to show who you are or what group you belong to
Part of speech: noun
Definition: an emblem, usually a small piece of plastic, cloth, or metal, that shows a person’s rank, membership, or affiliation
Example: They checked everyone's badge before letting them in.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-17. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Other Meanings of Badge
Meaning 2
something that symbolizes a quality or status
Part of speech: noun
Definition: a feature or sign that is seen as proof of a status, quality, or rank
Example: Wearing a tie was regarded as a badge of respectability.
Meaning 3
to give someone a badge
Part of speech: verb
Definition: to put a badge on someone or something
Example: The workers here must be badged.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-17. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Common Mistakes
- People sometimes use badge to mean a general symbol or mark, but the word most often refers to a physical badge worn for identification or membership.
- Don't confuse badge as a noun with badged as the verb form.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-17. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does badge mean?
Badge usually means a small item worn or carried to show identity, rank, or membership. It can also mean a symbol of a quality or status.
What is a badge in simple English?
A badge is a small sign that shows who you are or what group you belong to.
What are badge synonyms?
For the main noun sense, there are no strong direct synonyms in the supplied data. For the status sense, the word can overlap with phrases like "symbol" or "mark," but those are not exact substitutes.
Is badge a noun or a verb?
Badge is mostly a noun, but it can also be a verb meaning to put a badge on someone.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-17. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.