wayward
wayward
Definition
way·ward (-wərd)
adjective
- insistent upon having one's own way, contrary to others' advice, wishes, or orders; headstrong, willful, disobedient, delinquent, etc.
- conforming to no fixed rule or pattern; unpredictable; irregular; capricious; erratic
- Archaic unwanted or unexpected wayward fate
Etymology: ME weiward, aphetic for aweiward: see away & -ward
way′·wardly adverb
way′·ward·ness noun
wayward
Synonyms
wayward
modif.
wayward
Usage Examples
Modifies a noun
- bowling: Billy and Ben F took advantage of some wayward bowling to cruise to victory in the 9th over without ever looking in any danger.
- passing: The usual wayward passing accompanied by the usual decisive balls.
- genius: We live in the world of the wayward genius.
- shooting: Likes to think he could be a center forward but is let down by his wayward shooting!
- son: They wanted my father to control his wayward son.
- daughter: But then a beloved rabbi dies, and his passing brings his wayward daughter back.
Modifying Another Word
- slightly: Really good time to have that slightly wayward rebellious hair phase.
- rather: Liam - Noel's rather wayward brother ( right ).
- often: Bass player Simon Edwards the glue to holding the often wayward lead guitar on track.
- little: To be fair his podium talks were OK, if at times a little wayward.
- somewhat: Even if your drive is somewhat wayward, there's a reasonable chance that a benign breeze will blow it back on line.
- so: I don't think my first impression of a book has ever been so wayward.
Used with adjective complement
- become: Another symptom is that the car will pull to the left or right and, under braking, could become seriously wayward.
