adj
C2
Proficient
wayward
WAY-wuhd
Wayward (adj) means Stubbornly doing things one's own way, ignoring rules or expectations. Example: “The wayward teenager kept skipping school despite every warning.”
adj
1
Stubbornly doing things one's own way, ignoring rules or expectations.
"The wayward teenager kept skipping school despite every warning."
"Her wayward brother had drifted from job to job for years."
How to use wayward
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishDescribes someone (or something, like a wayward shot) that goes off in its own unpredictable, disobedient direction.
Common pairings
wayward child
wayward son
wayward path
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Word forms
- Plural
- waywards
- Comparative
- more wayward
- Superlative
- most wayward
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The _____ teenager kept skipping school despite every warning.
Etymology
A shortening of "away" plus "-ward," originally meaning turned away from expected behaviour.
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for wayward
See all rhymes for wayward →Frequently asked questions
What does “wayward” mean?
The word “wayward” means stubbornly doing things one's own way, ignoring rules or expectations. In plain terms, describes someone (or something, like a wayward shot) that goes off in its own unpredictable, disobedient direction.
How do you pronounce “wayward”?
“Wayward” is pronounced WAY-wuhd (/ˈweɪwə(ɹ)d/ in IPA).
How do you use “wayward” in a sentence?
Here is “wayward” used in a sentence: “The wayward teenager kept skipping school despite every warning.”
What is another word for “wayward”?
Words with a similar meaning to “wayward” include vagabond and vagrant.
What part of speech is “wayward”?
“Wayward” is an adjective.
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