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# wicked

adjective (wicked, more wicked or wickeder, most wicked or wickedest)

«wicked» in the English dictionary: everyday and in Jewish tradition — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

1. Wicked means very bad, evil or cruel: «the wicked witch». [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/W/wicked/#m1)
2. Wicked can mean naughty in a playful way: «a wicked grin», «a wicked sense of humour». [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/W/wicked/#m2)
3. In slang, especially in the UK, wicked means excellent or very good: «That's wicked!». [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/W/wicked/#m3)

### In the lessons

In fairy tales and stories, «wicked» describes villains: the wicked stepmother, the wicked witch, the Wicked Witch of the West. In everyday slang, «wicked!» means «brilliant!» — the meaning depends on context. In lessons on right and wrong, «wicked» is a strong word for very bad acts. Phrases: «the wicked witch», «a wicked grin», «no rest for the wicked».

### Examples

- The wicked witch cast a spell on the princess. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/W/wicked/#x1)
- The wicked stepmother made Cinderella work all day. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/W/wicked/#x2)
- He gave me a wicked grin. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/W/wicked/#x3)
- Your new skateboard is wicked! [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/W/wicked/#x4)
- Hurting animals is a wicked thing to do. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/W/wicked/#x5)
- She has a wicked sense of humour. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/W/wicked/#x6)
- That was a wicked goal! [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/W/wicked/#x7)
- Wicked deeds will not stay hid. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/W/wicked/#x8)

### Note

Said with two syllables: «WIK-id» (not like «picked»). Slang «wicked» = great; check the context. Fairy-tale «wicked stepmothers» are a story trope — real step-parents are often kind.

## In Jewish tradition

Describes people who do evil against God and others, such as the men of Sodom, and is the opposite of "righteous."

**Interpretation.** Jewish tradition says the wicked can repent, and Abraham's plea ("sweep away the righteous with the wicked?") is read as a model of arguing for justice.

### Examples

- Now the men of Sodom were wicked and sinners against the LORD exceedingly. (Torah GEN.13.13, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/W/wicked/#x1)
- And Abraham drew near, and said: 'Wilt Thou indeed sweep away the righteous with the wicked? (Torah GEN.18.23, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/W/wicked/#x2)
- And Er, Judah's first-born, was wicked in the sight of the LORD; and the LORD slew him. (Torah GEN.38.7, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/W/wicked/#x3)
- Or to nobles: 'Ye are wicked'? — (Writings JOB.34.18, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/W/wicked/#x4)
- And where is the tent wherein the wicked dwelt?' (Writings JOB.21.28, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/W/wicked/#x5)
- The wicked watcheth the righteous, and seeketh to slay him. (Writings PSA.37.32, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/W/wicked/#x6)

### Note

Said with two syllables: «WIK-id» (not like «picked»). Slang «wicked» = great; check the context. Fairy-tale «wicked stepmothers» are a story trope — real step-parents are often kind.

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «wicked» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/W/wicked/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«wicked» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/wicked.html) on Mova free.
- [Trees and pragmatics of «wicked» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/W/wicked/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«wicked» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/judaism/w/wicked.html) on Mova free.