wayward

/ˈweɪwəd/ (bre, ipa) · [wˈewɚd] /ˈweɪwərd/ (ame, ipa) · [wˈewɚd] /ˈwā-wərd How to pronounce wayward (audio)/ (ame, mw)

wayward — adjective

  • waywardpositive
  • more waywardcomparative
  • most waywardsuperlative

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

1.形容詞C1
釋義

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

例句

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.

同義詞
  • 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

反義詞
  • obedient

    willing to do what authority tells you to do

  • well-behaved

    describes someone whose conduct stays within expected limits

文法句型

a wayward child

a wayward son

become wayward

用法筆記

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

常見錯誤

❌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.形容詞C2
釋義

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

例句

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.

同義詞
  • 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'

反義詞
  • steady

    showing little unwanted change

  • reliable

    behaving in a consistent way people can depend on

文法句型

wayward + movements

wayward + signal

wayward + performance

用法筆記

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.

常見錯誤

❌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.形容詞C2
釋義

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

例句

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.

同義詞
  • 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

反義詞
  • accurate

    reaching the intended target or result

  • on-course

    staying on the planned line or route

文法句型

a wayward shot

a wayward spark

a wayward branch

用法筆記

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.

常見錯誤

❌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.