wanton

CEFRB1

/ˈwɒntən/

adjective

Türkçe translations

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In plain English

  1. 01

    adjective

    Without care, control, or thought about the results.

  2. 02

    adjective

    Extra detail

    Lewd, immoral; sexually open, unchaste.

Examples

  • I was relieved that there are people more wanton than me.

  • The young man wantoned away his inheritance.

At a glance

Sits at B1 on the CEFR scale

Senses
5
Parts of speech
1
Citations
5
Synonyms
5

Deep Dive

adjective

Extra meanings

  1. Playful, sportive; merry or carefree.

  2. Undisciplined, unruly; not able to be controlled.

  3. Capricious, reckless of morality, justice etc.; acting without regard for the law or the well-being of others; gratuitous.

More examples

In context

  • Your deeds are wanton.

  • 1948, Digby George Gerahty (as Robert Standish), Elephant Walk, New York: Macmillan, 1949, Chapter 15, p. 214, If either of us felt the respect for George that you imply by your manner, you know perfectly well that we wouldn’t have wantoned away the day as we...

  • 1948, Digby George Gerahty (as Robert Standish), Elephant Walk, New York: Macmillan, 1949, Chapter 15, p. 214, If either of us felt the respect for George that you imply by your manner, you know perfectly well that we wouldn’t have wantoned away the day as we have.

Synonyms

Antonyms

Quick test

Two questions on this entry. Nothing is scored.

Question 1 · Quick check

The blank destruction of private property in the neighborhood caused public outrage.

Practise this properly in the app, where the word comes back before you forget it.

Nearby

Origin

adjective

From Middle English wantoun, wantowen, wantoȝen, wantowe (“uneducated; unrestrained; licentious; sportive; playful”), from wan- (“not, un-, mis-”) + towen, i-towen (“educated”, literally “towed; led; drawn”), from Old English togen, ġetogen, past participle of tēon (“to train, discipline”), equivalent to wan- + towed.