Skip to the word

Added 9 October 2026

wayward

/ˈweɪwə(ɹ)d/ adjective

In Latin: inconstans Wiktionary

adjective Definition from WordNet 3.1, Princeton University. Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about wayward at Wordnik → Where our words come from →

Resistant to guidance or discipline.
Mary Mary quite contrary

Origin

Shortening of away + -ward.

From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)

Back to today's word