wayward

way·ward

Use wayward in a sentence

adjective

The definition of wayward is being insistent on having your own way, being headstrong or unpredictable.

A child who misbehaves in unpredictable ways is an example of a wayward child.

Link/Cite

Link to this page

Cite this page

MLA Style

"wayward." YourDictionary, n.d. Web. 10 April 2019. <https://www.yourdictionary.com/Wayward>.

APA Style

wayward. (n.d.). Retrieved April 10th, 2019, from https://www.yourdictionary.com/Wayward

wayward

insistent upon having one's own way; headstrong, willful, disobedient, etc.: a wayward youth
conforming to no fixed rule or pattern; unpredictable; irregular; capricious; erratic
mischievous, naughty, flirtatious, etc.: a wayward glance
Archaic unwanted or unexpected: wayward fate

Origin of wayward

Middle English weiward, aphetic for aweiward: see away and -ward

Link/Cite

Link to this page

Cite this page

MLA Style

"wayward." YourDictionary, n.d. Web. 10 April 2019. <https://www.yourdictionary.com/Wayward>.

APA Style

wayward. (n.d.). Retrieved April 10th, 2019, from https://www.yourdictionary.com/Wayward

wayward

adjective

Deviating from what is desired, expected, or required, especially in being disobedient or in gratifying one's own inclinations: “a teacher taking pains with a wayward but promising child” ( George Orwell )
Difficult or impossible to manage, control, or keep in order: a wayward strand of hair.
Going somewhere not intended or desired: a wayward golf shot; a wayward courier.
Following no clear pattern; unpredictable: “events that were often thought to be wayward, capricious, and inexplicable” ( Marq de Villiers )

Origin of wayward

Middle English short for awaiward turned away, perverse awai away ; see away . -ward -ward

Related Forms:

way′ward·ly
adverb

way′ward·ness
noun

THE AMERICAN HERITAGE® DICTIONARY OF THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE, FIFTH EDITION by the Editors of the American Heritage Dictionaries. Copyright © 2016, 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.