promiscuous
[pruh-mis-kyoo-uhs]
- characterized by or involving indiscriminate mingling or association, especially having sexual relations with a number of partners on a casual basis.
- consisting of parts, elements, or individuals of different kinds brought together without order.
- indiscriminate; without discrimination.
- casual; irregular; haphazard.
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Origin of promiscuous
Synonyms
Antonyms
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for promiscuously
Contemporary Examples
That year, among the many Double Golds promiscuously handed out to various bourbons, one went to Old Grand Dad.
Historical Examples
They sit down as they list, promiscuously, like a crowd, and all armed.
Tacitus on GermanyTacitus
Shall the unworthy be promiscuously admitted to its privileges?
Bertha and Her BaptismNehemiah Adams
She had read voraciously and promiscuously one subject after another.
Democracy An American NovelHenry Adams
Through other; one thing blended with the other, promiscuously.
Letters of Samuel RutherfordSamuel Rutherford
Here we took our temporary abode—men and women, promiscuously.
Fifty Years in ChainsCharles Ball
promiscuous
- indulging in casual and indiscriminate sexual relationships
- consisting of a number of dissimilar parts or elements mingled in a confused or indiscriminate manner
- indiscriminate in selection
- casual or heedless
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Word Origin
C17: from Latin prōmiscuus indiscriminate, from pro- 1 + miscēre to mix
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Word Origin and History for promiscuously
promiscuous
adj.
c.1600, people or things, "mingled confusedly, grouped together without order, consisting of a disorderly mix; indiscriminate," from Latin promiscuus "mixed, indiscriminate, in common, without distinction," from pro- "forward" (see pro-) + miscere "to mix" (see mix (v.)). Meaning "indiscriminate in sexual relations" recorded by 1857, from promiscuity. The Latin adjective was used with conubia (e.g. between patricians and plebeians). Related: Promiscuously.
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper