Dictionary

badling en · NOUN · etymology 1

Etymology

Perhaps from Middle English *badling, from Old English bædling (“an effeminate person”), or simply bad + -ling.

Meanings

1. (rare) One who is considered bad.

Forms

Synonyms

loser · baddie

badling en · NOUN · etymology 2

Etymology

Perhaps an alteration of paddling.

Meanings

1. (collective) A brood, group, or flock of ducks.
   • Some people say you can’t go back home, but for a badling of Ducks, that is not true. 2024 July 31, Carter Bordwell, “Once a Duck…”, in Taylor Press, archived from the original on 30 Jul 2026:
   • Wisps of snipe and badlings of duck sprang into the air 1921 October, Samuel Scoville Jr., “High Sky”, in Mary Mapes Dodge, editor, St. Nicholas, volume XLVIII, page 1062:

Forms