vicious

Reading level: hard

Estimated CEFR level: B2 — Upper-Intermediate

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. adjective (of persons or their actions) able or disposed to inflict pain or suffering
  2. adjective having the nature of vice
  3. adjective bringing or deserving severe rebuke or censure

Etymology

PIE word *dwóh₁ From Middle English vicious, from Anglo-Norman vicious, (modern French vicieux), from Latin vitiōsus, from vitium (“fault, vice”). Equivalent to vice + -ous.

In classic literature

Synonyms

barbarous, brutal, cruel, fell, roughshod, savage

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