What does wickedness mean?
Wickedness is a noun naming evil or moral depravity, either as a general quality or, in literary and religious contexts, as a particular wicked act. Its uses range from descriptions of personal character to public and spiritual condemnation: a person may be accused of wickedness, while a story or institution may embody it. The word has a strongly moral tone and commonly suggests deliberate wrongdoing, depravity, or disregard for others rather than a minor moral failing. In modern English it is usually formal, literary, or religious, though it remains readily understood. Compared with “evil,” “wickedness” often focuses more directly on wicked conduct or character; compared with “sinfulness,” it can apply in secular as well as explicitly religious contexts. Wickedness is especially useful when discussing corruption, cruelty, or moral degradation as a sustained condition rather than describing one questionable action.
nounThe quality or state of being wicked; moral evil or depravity. In literary contexts, it can also refer to a wicked act or instance of wrongdoing.
- The quality or state of being wicked, especially moral evil or depravity.
- A wicked act, deed, or instance of wrongdoing, especially in literary or religious usage.
"The novel portrays the wickedness lurking beneath the appearance of respectability."
"The minister appealed to the congregation to reject the wickedness of the scheme."
"The tale is remembered for its portrayal of cruelty, treachery, and moral wickedness."
The noun is ordinarily uncountable; the plural is rare and is chiefly used when individual instances or acts of wickedness are treated separately.
"The chronicle records several separate wickednesses committed for political advantage."
Wickedness names not merely a bad deed, but the settled character of evil that the deed reveals.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does wickedness come from?
“Wickedness” is a Middle English formation created by adding the productive suffix “-ness” to “wicked,” a word derived from Old English “wicca,” meaning “depraved” or “evil.” The suffix “-ness” forms abstract nouns that express a quality or state, so the resulting word denotes the condition of being wicked. “Wicked” also belongs to a Germanic word family associated with “witch” and “wicca,” although the precise semantic history of that family is complex.
How wickedness is actually used
The word is chiefly formal, literary, moral, or religious in register. Unlike the informal use of “wicked” to mean excellent, “wickedness” almost always refers to serious moral wrongdoing.
Easily confused with wickedness
Wicked is an adjective meaning evil or morally bad, while wickedness is the noun naming that quality or state.