wayward
Americanadjective
-
turned or turning away from what is right or proper; willful; disobedient.
a wayward son; wayward behavior.
- Synonyms:
- intractable, refractory, unruly, obstinate, stubborn, headstrong, contrary
-
swayed or prompted by caprice; capricious.
a wayward impulse; to be wayward in one's affections.
-
turning or changing irregularly; irregular.
a wayward breeze.
- Synonyms:
- changeable, inconstant, unsteady
adjective
-
wanting to have one's own way regardless of the wishes or good of others
-
capricious, erratic, or unpredictable
Related Words
See willful.
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of wayward
First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English; aphetic variant of awayward. See away, -ward
Explanation
Someone wayward is a little stubborn and independent — they're determined to find their own way and are not easily controlled. Being wayward can mean a few things, but they all have something to do with doing your own thing — often, going against what others want you to do. A rebellious student is wayward. A son who ignores his parent's advice is wayward. A politician who goes against everyone else in his political party is wayward. Wayward folks like to go their own way — and they often take the unexpected path.
Vocabulary lists containing wayward
Romeo and Juliet
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Spinnin' Around
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The One and Only Ivan
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
And, finally, he played one of a set of awkward husbands who come to life singing “Carry On Wayward Son” together.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 5, 2026
"Congratulations," the fake letter stated, "you have been selected as a Wayward Steward exchange home for homeless immigrants and victims of foreign wars."
From Salon • Sep. 30, 2024
Wayward three-point shooting doomed Virginia Tech as well.
From Washington Post • Mar. 31, 2023
In the "official" chart, Please, Please Me was denied the top spot by yodelling crooner Frank Ifield and his song Wayward Wind.
From BBC • Nov. 12, 2022
Wayward strings of lightbulbs hang overhead, beyond which I can see the mirrored, upside-down version of the city hanging down toward us from the sky.
From "Warcross" by Marie Lu
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
