promiscuous

[ pruh-mis-kyoo-uhs ]
See synonyms for promiscuous on Thesaurus.com
adjective
  1. characterized by or involving indiscriminate mingling or association, especially having sexual relations with a number of partners on a casual basis.

  2. consisting of parts, elements, or individuals of different kinds brought together without order.

  1. indiscriminate; without discrimination; not selective.

Origin of promiscuous

1
First recorded in 1595–1605; from Latin prōmiscuus “mixed up,” equivalent to prō-pro-1 + misc(ēre) “to mix” + -uus adjective suffix; see mix, -ous

synonym study For promiscuous

2. See miscellaneous.

Other words for promiscuous

1 licentious; abandoned, wild
2 mixed, confused, jumbled; motley
3 random, nonselective, undiscriminating, unmethodical, unselective, unsystematic
4 thoughtless, unthinking, unconsidered
See synonyms for promiscuous on Thesaurus.com

Opposites for promiscuous

Other words from promiscuous

  • pro·mis·cu·ous·ly, adverb
  • pro·mis·cu·ous·ness, noun
  • hy·per·pro·mis·cu·ous, adjective
  • hy·per·pro·mis·cu·ous·ly, adverb
  • hy·per·pro·mis·cu·ous·ness, noun
  • non·pro·mis·cu·ous, adjective
  • non·pro·mis·cu·ous·ly, adverb
  • non·pro·mis·cu·ous·ness, noun
  • un·pro·mis·cu·ous, adjective
  • un·pro·mis·cu·ous·ly, adverb
  • un·pro·mis·cu·ous·ness, noun

Words Nearby promiscuous

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use promiscuous in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for promiscuous

promiscuous

/ (prəˈmɪskjʊəs) /


adjective
  1. indulging in casual and indiscriminate sexual relationships

  2. consisting of a number of dissimilar parts or elements mingled in a confused or indiscriminate manner

  1. indiscriminate in selection

  2. casual or heedless

Origin of promiscuous

1
C17: from Latin prōmiscuus indiscriminate, from pro- 1 + miscēre to mix

Derived forms of promiscuous

  • promiscuously, adverb
  • promiscuousness, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012