Bastard vs. Dastard — What's the Difference?
By Fiza Rafique & Urooj Arif — Updated on April 22, 2024
Bastard refers to an illegitimate child or something fake, while dastard denotes a cowardly or despicable person.
Difference Between Bastard and Dastard
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
The term "bastard" originally describes a child born to parents not married to each other, implying illegitimacy in a historical context. On the other hand, "dastard" refers to an individual who exhibits cowardice and despicable behavior, emphasizing moral weakness rather than lineage.
In modern usage, "bastard" is often used colloquially to express disdain or as a crude insult, reflecting a negative judgment of character or authenticity. Whereas, "dastard" is less common in everyday language and typically appears in literary contexts or in expressions emphasizing villainy and treachery.
The word "bastard" can also describe something that is spurious or counterfeit, such as "a bastard file" in tools, which signifies a certain coarseness of texture. On the other hand, "dastard" has no such secondary meanings and remains firmly attached to its connotations of cowardice and dishonor.
The connotations of "bastard" have evolved over time and can sometimes carry a less pejorative or even a humorous tone depending on context. Meanwhile, "dastard" almost universally conveys contempt and is rarely used in a neutral or positive manner.
"Bastard" is derived from the Old French "bastard", which itself comes from "bast", a term for packsaddle, suggesting children born from transient relationships. In contrast, "dastard" possibly originates from "dazed", highlighting a state of stupefaction or an inability to act bravely.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Illegitimate child or counterfeit
Cowardly or despicable person
Usage
Common in colloquial speech
Rare, more literary
Connotations
Negative, sometimes humorous
Universally negative
Secondary Meanings
Yes (e.g., type of file)
No
Etymology
From Old French "bast" (packsaddle)
Possibly from "dazed"
Compare with Definitions
Bastard
Something fake or counterfeit.
They sold me a bastard diamond.
Dastard
Literary term for a treacherous villain.
Shakespeare often wrote about dastards.
Bastard
Illegitimate child.
He learned he was a bastard at a young age.
Dastard
Despicable or mean.
Only a dastard would lie like that.
Bastard
Colloquial for difficult or unpleasant.
It was a bastard of a job.
Dastard
Used to describe base misconduct.
Such dastard behavior will not be tolerated.
Bastard
Crude tool or file.
Grab the bastard file for this metal work.
Dastard
Someone who acts with dishonor.
He was branded a dastard after fleeing.
Bastard
Offensive term for unpleasant person.
Don't be such a bastard about it.
Dastard
A cowardly person.
The villain in the play was a true dastard.
Bastard
An unpleasant or despicable person
He lied to me, the bastard!
Dastard
A sneaking, malicious coward.
Bastard
A person born of parents not married to each other.
Dastard
A malicious coward; a dishonorable sneak.
Bastard
(of a thing) no longer in its pure or original form; debased
A bastard Darwinism
Dastard
Meanly shrinking from danger, cowardly, dastardly.
Bastard
Born of parents not married to each other; illegitimate
A bastard child
Dastard
To dastardize.
Bastard
(Offensive) A person born to parents not married to each other.
Dastard
One who meanly shrinks from danger; an arrant coward; a poltroon.
You are all recreants and dashtards, and delight to live in slavery to the nobility.
Bastard
A person considered to be mean or contemptible.
Dastard
Meanly shrinking from danger; cowardly; dastardly.
Bastard
A person, especially one considered to be unfortunate
“crumbling shacks where some poor bastard had tried to raise a family” (Tom Clancy).
Dastard
To dastardize.
Bastard
Something that is of irregular, inferior, or dubious origin.
Dastard
A malicious coward
Bastard
(Offensive) Born to parents not married to each other.
Dastard
Treacherously cowardly;
The unprovoked and dastardly attack by Japan on...December 7th
Bastard
Not genuine; spurious
A bastard style of architecture.
Bastard
Resembling a known kind or species but not truly such.
Bastard
(dated) A person who was born out of wedlock, and hence often considered an illegitimate descendant.
Bastard
A mongrel biological cross between different breeds, groups or varieties.
Bastard
A contemptible, inconsiderate, overly or arrogantly rude or spiteful person.
Some bastard stole my car while I was helping an injured person.
Bastard
A man, a fellow, a male friend.
Lucky bastard
Poor bastard
Get over here, you old bastard!
Bastard
A person deserving of pity.
Poor bastard, I feel so sorry for him.
These poor bastards started out life probably in bad or broken homes.
Bastard
(informal) A child who does not know their father.
Bastard
(informal) Something extremely difficult or unpleasant to deal with.
Life can be a real bastard.
Bastard
A variation that is not genuine; something irregular or inferior or of dubious origin, fake or counterfeit.
The architecture was a kind of bastard, suggesting Gothic but not being true Gothic.
Bastard
A bastard file.
Bastard
A sweet wine.
Bastard
A sword that is midway in length between a short-sword and a long sword; also bastard sword.
Bastard
An inferior quality of soft brown sugar, obtained from syrups that have been boiled several times.
Bastard
A large mould for straining sugar.
Bastard
A writing paper of a particular size.
Bastard
Of or like a bastard illegitimate human descendant.
Bastard
Of or like a bastard bad person.
Bastard
Of or like a mongrel, bastardized creature/cross.
Bastard
Of abnormal, irregular or otherwise inferior qualities size, shape etc.
A bastard musket
A bastard culverin
Bastard
Spurious, lacking authenticity: counterfeit, fake.
Bastard
(of a language) Imperfect; not spoken or written well or in the classical style; broken.
Bastard
Used in the vernacular name of a species to indicate that it is similar in some way to another species, often (but not always) one of another genus.
Bastard gemsbok; bastard mahogany; bastard toadflax; bastard trumpeter
Bastard
Very unpleasant.
I've got a bastard headache.
Bastard
(printing) Abbreviated, as the half title in a page preceding the full title page of a book.
Bastard
(theater lighting) Consisting of one predominant color blended with small amounts of complementary color; used to replicate natural light because of their warmer appearance.
A bastard orange gel produces predominantly orange light with undertones of blue.
Bastard
(rare) Exclamation of strong dismay or strong sense of being upset.
Bastard
(obsolete) To bastardize.
Bastard
A "natural" child; a child begotten and born out of wedlock; an illegitimate child; one born of an illicit union.
Bastard
An inferior quality of soft brown sugar, obtained from the sirups that have already had several boilings.
Bastard
A sweet Spanish wine like muscatel in flavor.
Brown bastard is your only drink.
Bastard
A writing paper of a particular size. See Paper.
Bastard
Lacking in genuineness; spurious; false; adulterate; - applied to things which resemble those which are genuine, but are really not so.
That bastard self-love which is so vicious in itself, and productive of so many vices.
Bastard
Of an unusual or irregular make or proportion; as, a bastard musket; a bastard culverin.
Bastard
Abbreviated, as the half title in a page preceding the full title page of a book.
Bastard
To bastardize.
Bastard
Insulting terms of address for people who are stupid or irritating or ridiculous
Bastard
The illegitimate offspring of unmarried parents
Bastard
Derogatory term for a variation that is not genuine; something irregular or inferior or of dubious origin;
The architecture was a kind of bastard suggesting Gothic but not true Gothic
Bastard
Born out of wedlock;
The dominions of both rulers passed away to their spurious or doubtful offspring
Bastard
Fraudulent; having a misleading appearance
Common Curiosities
Is "dastard" commonly used today?
No, it's considered archaic and mostly used in literary contexts.
How do the connotations of "bastard" and "dastard" differ?
"Bastard" can be less pejorative depending on usage, while "dastard" is always negative.
Can "bastard" have a non-offensive meaning?
Yes, it can describe something fake or be used in a humorous tone.
What does "bastard" mean in historical context?
Historically, it refers to a child born outside of marriage.
How does the etymology of "dastard" enhance its meaning?
It emphasizes a stunned or stupefied cowardice.
Can "dastard" be used in modern speech without sounding outdated?
It might sound literary or overly formal in everyday conversation.
What are examples of using "bastard" in a sentence?
He called his broken car a bastard when it wouldn't start.
Are there other meanings for "dastard" beyond cowardice?
No, it consistently relates to cowardice and despicable actions.
How does the etymology of "bastard" relate to its meaning?
It ties back to children born from transient, non-marital relationships.
What are examples of using "dastard" in a sentence?
The tale depicted the thief as a cunning dastard.
How do cultural perceptions of "bastard" and "dastard" vary?
"Bastard" can vary widely, but "dastard" consistently carries old-fashioned villainy.
Can either term be reclaimed in a positive light?
"Bastard" sometimes, but "dastard" is unlikely due to its strong negative ties.
Is "bastard" acceptable in formal settings?
Typically, it's avoided due to its offensive nature.
What is a common misunderstanding about the word "bastard"?
Some think it only insults when it can also describe objects.
What is a common misunderstanding about the word "dastard"?
People may not realize it's synonymous with treachery and not just cowardice.
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
