wayward

IPA/ˈweɪwəd/
KK[wˈewɚd]IPA/ˈweɪwərd/

wayward — adjective

  • waywardpositive
  • more waywardcomparative
  • most waywardsuperlative

1. not willing to follow rules or advice, so difficult for other people to guide or

1.adjectiveC1
Definition

not willing to follow rules or advice, so difficult for other people to guide or manage.

Example

Vivek became wayward after months of skipping class and ignoring rules.

become wayward after rejecting discipline

Lara's wayward son kept leaving home before dawn without telling anyone.

Common collocations
  • wayward child
  • wayward son
  • wayward boy
  • wayward puppy
Synonyms
  • unruly

    stronger for openly disobedient behavior, especially in groups

  • rebellious

    stresses resistance to authority rather than simple lack of control

  • stubborn

    focuses on refusing to change your mind, not broader misbehavior

Antonyms
  • obedient

    willing to do what authority tells you to do

  • well-behaved

    describes someone whose conduct stays within expected limits

Grammar Patterns

a wayward child

a wayward son

become wayward

Usage Note

Often used for children, teenagers, or animals that refuse guidance. It suggests repeated behavior that adults are trying, and failing, to keep under control.

Common Mistakes

The traffic lights were wayward all evening.
The traffic lights were erratic all evening.
for machines or systems that behave unpredictably, English usually prefers words like 'erratic' rather than this person-focused sense.

2. changing direction, quality, or behavior so unevenly that people cannot predict

2.adjectiveC2
Definition

changing direction, quality, or behavior so unevenly that people cannot predict what it will do next.

Example

Mira restarted the robot when its wayward movements scared the children.

wayward + movements for unpredictable behavior

The drone's wayward signal sent it circling above the empty car park.

Common collocations
  • wayward movements
  • wayward signal
  • wayward performance
  • wayward stock price
Synonyms
  • erratic

    the more direct modern word for unpredictable changes

  • unsteady

    often suggests a lack of balance or reliability rather than randomness

  • unpredictable

    broader and more neutral, without the literary tone of 'wayward'

Antonyms
  • steady

    showing little unwanted change

  • reliable

    behaving in a consistent way people can depend on

Grammar Patterns

wayward + movements

wayward + signal

wayward + performance

Usage Note

This sense is more often used for behavior, systems, or results than for people. Unlike sense 3, it stresses continuing unpredictability rather than a single drift away from a target or path.

Common Mistakes

The child became wayward because the printer broke.
The printer became erratic and kept stopping.
this sense describes unstable performance or behavior, not a person's moral conduct.

3. moving or ending up away from the path, target, or result that was meant to be f

3.adjectiveC2
Definition

moving or ending up away from the path, target, or result that was meant to be followed.

Example

The goalkeeper pushed away a wayward shot near the post.

wayward + shot for something off target

A wayward shopping cart rolled across the car park in the wind.

Common collocations
  • wayward shot
  • wayward spark
  • wayward branch
  • wayward cart
Synonyms
  • stray

    the plain everyday word for moving away from the right place or group

  • misdirected

    stresses being aimed or sent the wrong way

  • off-target

    best when the intended aim is clear

Antonyms
  • accurate

    reaching the intended target or result

  • on-course

    staying on the planned line or route

Grammar Patterns

a wayward shot

a wayward spark

a wayward branch

Usage Note

Use this sense when something has gone away from its intended line, aim, or destination. Unlike sense 2, the focus is on the unwanted deviation itself, not on repeated unpredictability over time.

Common Mistakes

The debate became wayward after the lunch break.
The debate became erratic after the lunch break.
use this sense for something that strays from a path, target, or intended result.

Synonym discussion

Sense: adjective/1

'Wayward' usually suggests that a person, action, or thing has strayed from guidance or from the line it ought to follow. 'Rebellious' is stronger for open resistance to authority. 'Erratic' focuses on unpredictability and changing behavior, especially in sense 2, without the idea of will. 'Stray' is the ordinary word for moving away from the right place or group. Choose 'wayward' when you want a slightly literary word for something that does not stay under control or does not go where it should.

wayward ↗rebelliouserratic ↗stray ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Phrases

  • a wayward child
  • wayward movements
  • a wayward shot

Etymology

Middle EnglishEnglish

'Wayward' is formed from 'way' and the old directional ending '-ward'. It first referred to movement away from the proper way, and later broadened to people, behavior, and results that do not stay under guidance or do not go where they should.

First known use

14th century

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1