WICKED

Wicked is an English adjective that historically denotes something morally wrong or evil. In contemporary usage, the word also functions as an informal intensifier, particularly in American English, meaning very or excellent as in “that was wicked cool.”

Regional differences shape meaning: in most British contexts, wicked retains a negative sense, while in North America it is common to hear it as a positive intensifier in casual speech.

Cultural references: Wicked is the title of a 1995 novel by Gregory Maguire that reimagines the Wicked Witch of the West from L. Frank Baum’s Oz series. The subsequent Broadway musical Wicked, with music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz and book by Winnie Holzman, debuted in 2003 and has become a long-running production with numerous worldwide performances and tours.

Other uses: in academic and policy discourse, the term wicked problem describes complex issues that are difficult to define and lack definitive solutions, highlighting the challenges of planning and decision-making in real-world contexts.

The noun form is wickedness, referring to morally wrong or evil behavior, and the word also appears in a variety of phrases and brand names, reflecting its flexible, culturally varied usage.