: a child having a status arbitrarily defined by statute in some states, usually being under a stated age, habitually associating with vicious or immoral persons, or growing up in circumstances likely to lead to criminal activity or willful disobedience of parental or other lawful authority and therefore subject to ...

What does it mean when a person is wayward?

1 : following one's own capricious, wanton, or depraved inclinations : ungovernable a wayward child. 2 : following no clear principle or law : unpredictable. 3 : opposite to what is desired or expected : untoward wayward fate.

What does wayward mean in slang?

Someone wayward is a little stubborn and independent — they're determined to find their own way and are not easily controlled. Being wayward can mean a few things, but they all have something to do with doing your own thing — often, going against what others want you to do. A rebellious student is wayward.

Is wayward bad?

When would it be used in a negative context? Because wayward is a negative sort of word, I can't think of a context in which it would be used positively. Modern speakers use wayward as an adjective, but it began as a directional adverb. To go “(a)wayward” was to go in a direction away from something.

What is wayward woman?

young woman who adopts a unconventional behavior and look. term largely used in the 20's to describe women who acted contrary to what was commonly expected by going out, drinking, smoking, dancing, wearing make-up etc.

The Best Advice for Parents of Wayward Children

21 related questions found

What does it mean to be a wayward wife?

If you describe a person or their behavior as wayward, you mean that they behave in a selfish, bad, or unpredictable way, and are difficult to control.

What is a wayward lover?

[wey-werd] turning or changing irregularly; irregular: a wayward breeze.

What is wayward synonym?

Some common synonyms of wayward are balky, contrary, perverse, and restive. While all these words mean "inclined to resist authority or control," wayward suggests strong-willed capriciousness and irregularity in behavior.

What is perverse behavior?

2a : obstinate in opposing what is right, reasonable, or accepted : wrongheaded. b : arising from or indicative of stubbornness or obstinacy. 3 : marked by peevishness or petulance : cranky.

What is a wayward thought?

not organized or controlled in the right way. wayward thoughts. Synonyms and related words. Not well planned.

How do you use wayward in a sentence?

Wayward sentence example

1. He savored the wayward drops. ...
2. He was wayward , high-spirited and self-confident. ...
3. One hand gracefully held the folds of her dress and the other brushed a wayward curl from her forehead. ...
4. His wayward disposition found, however, no satisfaction in the Jewish fold.

What does wayward mean in Shakespeare?

turn derisively, direct scornfully. Headword location(s) waft (v.)

What wavered means?

intransitive verb. 1 : to vacillate irresolutely between choices : fluctuate in opinion, allegiance, or direction. 2a : to weave or sway unsteadily to and fro : reel, totter. b : quiver, flicker wavering flames. c : to hesitate as if about to give way : falter.

What is a wayward soul?

1 wanting to have one's own way regardless of the wishes or good of others. 2 capricious, erratic, or unpredictable. (C14: changed from awayward turned or turning away)

What does Rawly mean?

Rawlyadverb. in a raw manner; unskillfully; without experience. Rawlyadverb. without proper preparation or provision.

What does wayward mean in Romeo and Juliet?

wayward. resistant to guidance or discipline. Dismal Pilgrimage Vial Wayward Pensive Exile Fickle Fray Gallant Martial remnants ambiguities haughty scourge penury predominant intercede lamentable procure cunning. lamentable. bad; unfortunate.

What does Contumaciously mean?

: stubbornly disobedient : rebellious She was warned that her contumacious conduct would not be tolerated.

Is Waywardly a word?

1. disregarding or rejecting what is right or proper; willful; disobedient.

What's another word for directionless?

In this page you can discover 13 synonyms, antonyms, idiomatic expressions, and related words for directionless, like: afloat, undirected, adrift, aimless, planless, rudderless, unfocused, disjointed, morose, self-pitying and unfocussed.

What means Windward?

In sailing terminology, windward means "upwind," or the direction from which the wind is blowing. ... An island's windward side faces the prevailing, or trade, winds, whereas the island's leeward side faces away from the wind, sheltered from prevailing winds by hills and mountains.

What is the meaning of the word Surfside?

The area alongside the seashore. noun. Beside the sea. adjective.

What does wavering faith mean?

Wavering means to become weaker, faltering, undecided between two options. When we have it set in our minds that God should do something and when he doesn't come through for us like we expect our faith can waver.

What does tremble mean?

1 : to shake involuntarily (as with fear or cold) : shiver. 2 : to move, sound, pass, or come to pass as if shaken or tremulous the building trembled from the blast. 3 : to be affected with great fear or anxiety trembled for the safety of her child.

What does common kissing mean?

common-kissing: kissing all alike Cym.

What does Elf skinned mean?

An elf-skin is "a man of shrivelled and shrunken form," says the Oxford English Dictionary (OED).