a wicked start

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a wicked start" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an impressive or exciting beginning to an event, project, or experience. Example: "The concert had a wicked start, with the band playing their most popular song right away."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

I also briefly mentioned a Wicked Start user: Hari Kaur, a yoga instructor who four months ago opened her own jazz-yoga studio in Manhattan, called Hari NYC.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

(There's now a follow-up post about how Ms. Kaur is doing with Wicked Start).

The New York Times

He took a lot of the stuff at raves, had a wicked time, then started doing a lot more than his friends and his sanity fell off a cliff.

Vice

Colon's first strikeout, of Travis Snider, came on what has become his signature pitch, a wicked two-seam fastball that starts at a left-handed hitter's belt buckle before zipping across the inside corner.

The New York Times - Sports

It's largely a mashup of "Rear Window" and "Psycho," but it starts with a wicked satire that's entirely De Palma's own a hidden-camera TV game show of illicit thrills called "Peeping Toms".

The New Yorker

Making his third career playoff start, he relied on a wicked change-up to flummox the Cubs.

The Washington Post

The day got off to a pretty miserable start, with the guy with the mic screaming, "You're a wicked, evil, twisted abomination!

Vice

At the start of the film, her eyes are daubed with silver; here they gleam with a wicked yellow gold.

The New Yorker

They made the perfect start when Eagles' 17th minute free-kick found the net after the ball took a wicked deflection.

BBC

It "started as a sort of joke," he added, but "has become interesting — John has a wicked sense of humor".

The New York Times

My wife is a wicked, wicked person.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a wicked start" to describe beginnings that are impressively unconventional or surprisingly effective. It adds a distinctive, slightly edgy flavor to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "a wicked start" in contexts where 'wicked' might be misinterpreted as genuinely evil or malicious. Ensure the audience understands it as a positive, albeit unconventional, descriptor.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a wicked start" functions as a noun phrase where "wicked" modifies the noun "start". According to Ludwig, this phrase describes an impressive or exciting beginning.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

25%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a wicked start" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe an impressive or exciting beginning. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in written English. While it is more suited for informal contexts, its presence in News & Media suggests it can be used more broadly. Remember to use it when you want to convey admiration for an unconventional but effective commencement. For more formal settings, consider alternatives like "an excellent beginning".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an excellent beginning

Replaces "wicked" with a more standard positive adjective while maintaining the focus on the commencement.

a fantastic commencement

Emphasizes the positive and impressive nature of the beginning using synonyms.

an amazing kickoff

Uses a more informal term ("kickoff") to highlight the energetic beginning.

an incredible launch

Focuses on the act of launching or initiating something in an extraordinary way.

a remarkable initiation

Highlights the noteworthy and significant aspect of starting something.

a phenomenal opening

Indicates that the start was exceptionally good or impressive.

a stunning inception

Refers to the beginning or commencement of something in a striking manner.

an extraordinary genesis

Emphasizes the unique and exceptional nature of the origin or start.

a promising dawn

Uses a metaphorical expression to indicate a favorable or hopeful beginning.

an auspicious start

Highlights that the beginning is favorable and suggests future success.

FAQs

How can I use "a wicked start" in a sentence?

You can use "a wicked start" to describe something that begins in an impressive, exciting, or unconventional way. For example, "The concert had "a wicked start", with the band playing their most popular song right away."

What can I say instead of "a wicked start"?

You can use alternatives like "an excellent beginning", "a fantastic commencement", or "an amazing kickoff" depending on the context.

Is "a wicked start" appropriate for formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "a wicked start" is more suitable for informal or creative writing. In formal contexts, consider alternatives like "an excellent beginning" or "a promising start".

What does 'wicked' mean in the phrase "a wicked start"?

In this context, 'wicked' is used informally to mean 'impressive', 'exciting', or 'exceptionally good', rather than meaning evil or malicious.