Pop
wicked
What does wicked mean?
Describing something impressively intense, cool, or extreme.
"She has a wicked jump shot."
Origin
Rooted in New England (especially Boston) dialect, 'wicked' as an intensifier spread into broader American youth slang through the 80s. It flips the literal 'evil' meaning into pure emphasis or praise.
Frequently asked questions
What does wicked mean in slang?
It means 'very' or 'really' as an intensifier, or 'awesome' on its own. 'Wicked cool' just means very cool.
Where is 'wicked' used the most?
It's strongest in New England, especially Boston, but it spread nationwide as 80s slang.
Is wicked a bad word?
Not in this sense. The slang use is positive or neutral, the opposite of its literal 'evil' meaning.
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