Basic Details
Word: Vicious
Part of Speech: Adjective
Meaning: Very cruel, evil, or violent; intending to hurt someone or something.
Synonyms: Brutal, fierce, malevolent, savage
Antonyms: Kind, gentle, benevolent, nice
Idioms and Phrases
- Vicious circle: A situation where one problem causes another, making the first problem worse. Example: "His fear of public speaking led to a vicious circle of avoiding social events."
- Vicious rumour: A harmful or false story about someone. Example: "A vicious rumour spread about her, making it hard for her to go to school."
Usage Examples
Example 1: The vicious dog scared everyone in the neighbourhood with its loud growls.
Example 2: The film depicted a vicious villain who would stop at nothing to get what he wanted.
Example 3: During the debate, the candidates exchanged vicious comments that shocked the audience.
Fun Fact
The word "vicious" originates from the Latin word "viciousus," meaning "faulty" or "wicked." It evolved over time to represent something very harmful or mean in behaviour.
Famous Quote
"There are no vicious dogs, only vicious owners." - Anonymous
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
1. What does "vicious" mean?
a) Very kind
b) Very cruel or violent
c) Very happy
d) Very calm
Answer: b) Very cruel or violent
2. Which of these is a synonym of "vicious"?
a) Brave
b) Malevolent
c) Friendly
d) Happy
Answer: b) Malevolent
3. Which sentence uses "vicious" correctly?
a) The vicious cat purred happily on the lap.
b) The vicious storm caused a lot of damage to the town.
c) The vicious flower smelled sweet.
d) The vicious child played nicely with his friends.
Answer: b) The vicious storm caused a lot of damage to the town.
4. Which idiom means a problem that worsens?
a) Vicious rumour
b) Vicious circle
c) A bitter pill to swallow
d) All bark and no bite
Answer: b) Vicious circle
5. What is the opposite of "vicious"?
a) N/A
b) Kind
c) Angry
d) Sad
Answer: b) Kind
