wanton
wanton Lexical Profile
wanton Game Scores & Validity
• adjective
Deliberate, unprovoked, or done with reckless disregard for justice, rights, or consequences (especially of a cruel or violent action).
"The judge condemned the vandals for their wanton destruction of public property."
Sexually immodest, unrestrained, or promiscuous.
"In the Victorian novel, the protagonist was ostracized by polite society for her supposedly wanton behavior."
Growing profusely or luxuriantly; unrestrained, playful, or capricious (literary).
"The poet described the wanton breeze tossing the wildflowers across the meadow."
• noun
A sexually immodest, promiscuous, or self-indulgent person (dated or literary).
"The playwright contrasted the ascetic monk with the carefree wanton in the second act."
• verb
To behave in a playful, unrestrained, or lascivious manner (literary or archaic).
"In the pastoral poem, the nymphs were depicted wantoning in the sunlit glade."
To waste or squander extravagantly (often followed by 'away'; archaic).
"The young heir wantoned away his family fortune on lavish banquets."
Word Nuance & Usage
Do not confuse 'wanton' with 'wonton', which is a type of Chinese dumpling.
• Rhymes for wanton
Word Origin & Etymology
From Middle English 'wantowen', meaning undisciplined or rebellious, derived from Old English 'wan-' (lacking) and 'togen', the past participle of 'teon' (to train, discipline, or bring up).