tearaway

[ tair-uh-wey ]

adjective

1. designed to be easily separated or opened by tearing:

   a box with a tearaway seal.

noun

1. British. a wild, reckless person.

Word History and Origins

Origin of tearaway¹

First recorded in 1825–35; adj., noun use of verb phrase tear away

Example Sentences

When Lorelai rips off Lane’s tearaway wedding skirt and Zach crows, “My wife’s got legs!”

From Vox

The bad luck for McCain is that by now the electorate can see that Obama is anything but a tearaway.

From The Daily Beast

I say, Fred, I've backed 'Tearaway,' would you have me hedge off?

From Project Gutenberg

Tearaway was practically an unknown quantity and Picton decided she should not run in public before September.

From Project Gutenberg

He had won many races during the time he had been at Haverton, but vowed no such flier had been in his hands as Tearaway.

From Project Gutenberg

Fred saw this, and giving Tearaway a hint she raced up alongside the Cup horse.

From Project Gutenberg

He knew Tearaway's speed was something abnormal; in his opinion nothing could stand against it.

From Project Gutenberg