What does wicked mean?
Wicked most often means morally evil: it describes conduct marked by dishonesty, cruelty, or disregard for right. It can also mean extremely harmful, bad, or difficult, as in a wicked problem, and in informal British English it may praise something as very good, as in wicked. The contrast between these uses gives the word a theatrical flexibility that can be comic, emphatic, or deliberately exaggerated. Because wicked carries a strong moral judgment, it is generally more forceful than merely bad and more judgmental than unethical. The adjective developed from Middle English wikked; its remote ancestry is debated, with proposed links to Old English wicga and an Old Norse adjective meaning degenerate or vicious. Modern derivatives include wickedly and wickedness, the latter especially common in moral or theological discussion. Wicked remains useful because it moves easily between ethical condemnation, practical criticism, and colloquial enthusiasm while retaining its unmistakable sense of moral fault at its core.
Morally evil or lacking integrity; extremely bad, harmful, or difficult. Informally, it can also mean very good.
"She condemned the cruel and wicked treatment of the prisoners."
The positive informal use, especially in the expression "wicked good," is common in British English.
In a wicked manner, especially with moral wickedness.
"He acted wicked and was justly condemned."
This use is archaic or literary; wickedly is the standard modern adverb.
Long before wicked could mean excellent, Middle English speakers were already using its ancestor wikked to condemn moral evil.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does wicked come from?
Wicked descends from Middle English wikked, an established adjective meaning evil or morally bad. Its deeper origin is disputed: etymologists have proposed a link to Old English wicga, meaning a wicked man, and to an Old Norse adjective meaning degenerate or vicious. The English form was firmly established during the medieval period and later produced wickedly and wickedness.
Related word forms
How wicked is actually used
Wicked is a strong adjective and can sound theatrical, comic, or deliberately exaggerated. The positive sense meaning excellent is informal and is especially associated with British English; expressions such as "wicked good" may also carry a deliberately exaggerated or humorous tone.
Easily confused with wicked
Wicked is normally an adjective, whereas wickedly is the standard adverb form, as in "He behaved wickedly."