wicked

[ wik-id ]

adjective

, wick·ed·er, wick·ed·est.

1. evil or morally bad in principle or practice; sinful; iniquitous:

   wicked people;

   wicked habits.

   Synonyms: villainous, infamous, heinous, dissolute, depraved, corrupt, profligate, immoral, blasphemous, profane, impious, godless, ungodly, unrighteous

   Antonyms: virtuous, good

2. mischievous or playfully malicious:

   These wicked kittens upset everything.

3. distressingly severe, as a storm, wound, or cold:

   a wicked winter.

4. passing reasonable bounds; intolerably bad:

   wicked prices;

   a wicked exam.

5. having a bad disposition; ill-natured; mean:

   a wicked horse.

6. spiteful; malevolent; vicious:

   a wicked tongue.

7. extremely troublesome or dangerous:

   wicked roads.

8. unpleasant; foul:

   a wicked odor.

9. Slang. wonderful; great; masterful; deeply satisfying:

   He blows a wicked trumpet.

adverb

1. Slang. very; really; totally:

   That shirt is wicked cool.

wicked

/ ˈwɪkɪd /

adjective

1. 1. morally bad in principle or practice
   2. ( as collective noun; preceded by the )

      the wicked

2. mischievous or roguish, esp in a playful way

   a wicked grin

3. causing injury or harm
4. troublesome, unpleasant, or offensive
5. slang.
   very good

Derived Forms

• ˈwickedness, noun
• ˈwickedly, adverb

Other Words From

• wick·ed·ly adverb
• qua·si-wick·ed adjective
• qua·si-wick·ed·ly adverb
• un·wick·ed adjective
• un·wick·ed·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of wicked¹

First recorded in 1225–75; Middle English wikked, equivalent to wikke “bad” (representing adjective use of Old English wicca “wizard”; witch ) + -ed -ed ³

Word History and Origins

Origin of wicked¹

C13: from dialect wick, from Old English wicca sorcerer, wicce witch ¹

Example Sentences

I could close my eyes right now and see the wicked grin that made her a star in 1999’s “Girl, Interrupted.”

From Los Angeles Times

In the process, “Agatha” serves as an origin story of sorts for the wicked witch.

From Los Angeles Times

The Dodgers are hopeful that, even after two significant elbow surgeries, he still will possess much of his old, wicked stuff.

From Los Angeles Times

Two women have been jailed for their part in a monkey torture ring and behaviour described by the judge as "depraved, sickening and wicked".

From BBC

Using the imagery of crusades, he assailed “the late unholy war with the Indians” and the “wicked crusade against the peace of Mexico” during the 1830s.

From Salon

Related Words

• devilish
• evil
• impish
• mischievous
• nasty
• naughty
• vicious
• villainous
• wayward

When To Use

What are other ways to say wicked?

Someone or something wicked is morally bad in principle or practice. But calling someone or something wicked isn’t quite the same as calling them bad, evil, or ill. Find out why on Thesaurus.com.