Exploring the etymology and the stages of semantic development of the word 'Wicked'

Wicked

adjective: wicked; comparative adjective: wickeder; superlative adjective: wickedest

Origin

 

The word originated from the Middle English word wicca ‘witch’ + -ed. Its middle English meaning was something evil and usually was associated with witches.

Overtime the word has been used less frequently and has changed it meaning to something 'cool' and 'exiting'.

Use in language and literature:

In literature and formally it has kept its original meaning of 'cruel' but in speech it has the more urban meaning of 'cool'. The Macmillan English Dictionary for Advanced Learners defines the principal meaning of wicked as "morally wrong and deliberately intending to hurt people". The word wicked is believed to derive from the Old English word wicca meaning wizard. The female equivalent of wicca was wicce and this has given us the word witch. Wicked and witch are closely related in origin and it is interesting that the words are often used together in fairy tales.

In modern English, wicked can be used in an positive way in expressions like a wicked sense of humour or a wicked smile, where it has the meaning of being slightly cruel without intending to upset anyone. If you say someone has a wicked sense of humour there is almost a note of admiration in what you say and this is also evident in examples in a sporting context such as "He has a wicked left hook". Perhaps it was this latter use that gave rise to the informal use of wicked, particularly by young people, to mean very good, as in "Have you heard this song? It's really wicked." However, wicked is also a contronym, a word that has two opposite meanings because on one hand wicked means cool and on the other it means 'cruel'. It still has some of its old meaning of evil but its now reduced its intensity of the word.

The meaning may have changed because now we don't believe in witches or evil creatures, therefor we have developed the word into something that we can use.

In modern day, 'wicked' has also become a very popular brand name. As well as the play there is also wicked the: clothing brand, web design company, chocolate company and a brand culture shop.

'Wicked' synonyms:

1. 1.

   evil or morally wrong.

   
   

   "a wicked and unscrupulous politician"

   
   

   synonyms:

   evil, sinful, immoral, wrong, morally wrong, wrongful, bad, iniquitous, corrupt, black-hearted, ungodly, unholy, irreligious, unrighteous, sacrilegious, profane, blasphemous, impious, base, mean, vile; More irreverent, villainous, nefarious, erring, fallen, impure, sullied, tainted, foul, monstrous, shocking, outrageous, atrocious, abominable, reprehensible, hateful, detestable, despicable, odious, contemptible, horrible, heinous, execrable, godless, diabolical, diabolic, fiendish, vicious, murderous, barbarous, black, dark, rotten; criminal, illicit, unlawful, illegal, illegitimate, lawless, felonious, indictable; perverted, reprobate, sordid, depraved, degenerate, dissolute, dishonourable, dishonest, unscrupulous, unprincipled, underhand, roguish; informalcrooked, warped, low-down, stinking, dirty, shady, rascally, scoundrelly; informalbeastly, bent, not cricket; malfeasant; archaicdastardly; Use over time for: wicked rarepeccable, egregious, flagitious "a wicked man"

   antonyms:

   virtuous

   • intended to or capable of harming someone or something.

     
     

     "he pulled the long, wicked-looking dagger from its sheath"
   • informal

     extremely unpleasant.

     
     

     "despite the sun, the wind outside was wicked"

     
     

     disagreeable, unpleasant, foul, fierce, bad, nasty, irksome, troublesome, annoying, irritating, vexatious, displeasing, uncomfortable, distressing, hateful, detestable, miserable, abominable, execrable, odious, invidious, objectionable "the wind outside was wicked"
2. 2.

   playfully mischievous.

   
   

   
   

   
   

   synonyms:

   mischievous, playful, naughty, impish, roguish, arch, rascally, rakish, puckish, waggish, devilish, tricksy, cheeky, raffish, teasing "a wicked sense of humour"

3. 3.

   informal

   excellent; wonderful.

   
   

   "Sophie makes wicked cakes"

   
   

   synonyms:

   excellent, superb, superlative, first-rate, first-class, superior, outstanding, remarkable, dazzling, marvellous, magnificent, wonderful, splendid, admirable, noteworthy, impressive, fine, exquisite, exceptional, glorious, sublime, peerless, perfect, of the first water; More informalsuper, great, fantastic, fabulous, terrific, awesome, heavenly, stellar, ace, smashing, supercalifragilisticexpialidocious, A1, tip-top, top-notch, neat, mega, cool, banging, cracking, crucial; informalbrilliant, brill, bosting; badass; informaldivine "Sophie makes wicked cakes"