What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
evil
Example
The villain in the movie was pure evil. [evil: adjective]
Example
The evil of war cannot be overstated. [evil: noun]
wicked
Example
The wicked stepmother mistreated Cinderella. [wicked: adjective]
Example
The cat played a wicked game of hide-and-seek. [wicked: adverb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Evil is more commonly used than wicked in everyday language, especially in formal contexts. Wicked is more commonly used in casual conversation or to describe something playful or cool.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between evil and wicked?
Evil is more formal than wicked, which is often used in casual conversation or to describe something playful or cool.
