he is wicked

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "he is wicked" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone as morally wrong or evil, often in a literary or dramatic context. Example: "In the story, the villain is portrayed as he is wicked, delighting in the suffering of others."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

She added: "I can't think of another person whom I would describe this way, but he is wicked.

The Guardian

He is wicked smart, more than smart enough to seek and find even smarter people like a heat-seeking missile.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

He was wicked, Jonathan Ross.

Independent

5 1 WHEN HE WAS WICKED, by Julia Quinn.

The New York Times - Books

"He's wicked smart, funny, and the best tax guy I've ever known".

The New Yorker

But when Mr. Rove strikes, you have to pay attention, because he's wicked good in the Massachusetts and original sense of that word at playing the public.

The New York Times

Mrs. Hart, in turn, gave him a big smooch, told him he was "wicked" and said that was why she loved him.

The New York Times - Style

Oh, and lest we forget: this entire report is based on the handiwork of a single 15-year-old boy who interns at Morgan Stanley, which either suggests that he's wicked smart or that he comes from a decidedly middle class family.

TechCrunch

"He's wicked.

Los Angeles Times

According to scripture, he was "wicked".

Huffington Post

He's wicked smart, too, but don't tell him so.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "he is wicked", ensure the context clearly indicates a moral or ethical wrongdoing, not just mischievousness. The term is strong and should align with the severity of the action or character being described.

Common error

Avoid using "he is wicked" to describe minor misbehavior or playful actions. "Wicked" implies a significant level of evil or immorality, and using it lightly can diminish its impact and seem hyperbolic.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he is wicked" functions as a predicate adjective, where "wicked" describes the subject "he". Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and use in expressing moral judgment.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "he is wicked" is a grammatically sound construction used to express strong disapproval of someone's character or actions. As Ludwig AI indicates, its primary function is to describe someone as morally reprehensible or evil. While the phrase appears most commonly in news and media contexts, it's important to use it judiciously, reserving it for situations where the individual's behavior truly warrants such a severe judgment. Alternatives such as "he is evil" or "he is malevolent" can offer similar connotations, but "wicked" often carries a more dramatic or literary tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he is evil

Replaces "wicked" with a more direct synonym, indicating profound immorality.

he is malevolent

Offers a more formal and intense synonym for "wicked", suggesting a desire to do harm.

he is immoral

Focuses on the person's lack of moral principles.

he's a devil

Uses a metaphorical expression to convey the person's mischievous or evil nature.

he is nefarious

Indicates the person is extremely wicked or villainous.

he's a bad actor

Uses an idiomatic expression to describe someone who behaves poorly or dishonestly.

he is a scoundrel

Describes the person as dishonest and unscrupulous.

he's a wrongdoer

Refers to someone who acts illegally or dishonestly.

he is corrupt

Suggests the person is dishonest and abuses power.

he's up to no good

Implies that the person is planning or doing something wrong.

FAQs

What does it mean when someone says "he is wicked"?

When someone says "he is wicked", it typically means that the person being described is considered morally bad, evil, or highly mischievous. The term implies a significant degree of wrongdoing or malicious intent.

What can I say instead of "he is wicked"?

You can use alternatives like "he is evil", "he is malevolent", or "he is nefarious" depending on the specific context and the degree of negativity you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "he is wicked"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct to say "he is wicked". The phrase follows standard English sentence structure. However, it's important to use it in contexts where the person's actions or character genuinely warrant such a strong negative description.

What's the difference between "he is wicked" and "he is mischievous"?

"He is wicked" suggests a deep moral flaw or intention to do significant harm, while "he is mischievous" implies playful but harmless misbehavior. Wickedness involves evil intentions, whereas mischievousness is more about being playfully naughty.