Wayward meaning

wā'wərd
Conforming to no fixed rule or pattern; unpredictable; irregular; capricious; erratic.
adjective
0
0
Mischievous, naughty, flirtatious, etc.

A wayward glance.

adjective
0
0
Unwanted or unexpected.

Wayward fate.

adjective
0
0
Given to wilful, perverse deviation from the expected norm; tending to stray.
adjective
0
0
adjective
0
0
Advertisement
(sports) Not on target.
adjective
0
0
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.

adjective
0
1
Deviating from what is desired, expected, or required, especially in being disobedient or in gratifying one's own inclinations.
adjective
0
1
Difficult or impossible to manage, control, or keep in order.

A wayward strand of hair.

adjective
0
1
Going somewhere not intended or desired.

A wayward golf shot; a wayward courier.

adjective
0
1
Advertisement
Following no clear pattern; unpredictable.
adjective
0
1
Insistent upon having one's own way; headstrong, willful, disobedient, etc.

A wayward youth.

adjective
0
1

Origin of wayward

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

Sentence Examples

  • He savored the wayward drops.

  • He was wayward, high-spirited and self-confident.

  • One hand gracefully held the folds of her dress and the other brushed a wayward curl from her forehead.

  • He had assumed all their problems were payback for his wayward life.

  • His wayward disposition found, however, no satisfaction in the Jewish fold.

More sentences →

Words near wayward in the Dictionary