What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
bad
Example
The movie was so bad that we walked out halfway through. [bad: adjective]
Example
He has a bad habit of interrupting people when they're speaking. [bad: noun]
wicked
Example
The villain in the movie was wicked and had no remorse for his actions. [wicked: adjective]
Example
That skateboard trick you did was wicked! [wicked: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Bad is more commonly used than wicked in everyday language. Bad is a versatile word that covers a wide range of contexts, while wicked is less common and may be more regionally specific or informal.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between bad and wicked?
While bad can be used in both formal and informal contexts, wicked is generally more informal and casual in nature.