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   wanton

   /ˈwɒnt(ə)n/

   adjective

   • 1. (of a cruel or violent action) deliberate and unprovoked: "sheer wanton vandalism" Similar deliberatewilfulmaliciousmalevolentspitefulviciouswickedevilcruelunprovokedunmotivatedmotivelessarbitrarygroundlessunjustifiableunjustifiedneedlessunnecessaryuncalled forgratuitoussenselesspointlesspurposelessaimlessuselessmeaninglessemptyvacuousOpposite justifiable
   • 2. sexually unrestrained or having many casual sexual relationships (typically used of a woman): dated "her cheeks burned as she recalled how forward she had been, how wanton" Similar licentiouspromiscuousimmoralimmodestindecentshamelessunblushingunchasteunvirtuousimpureabandonedlustfullecherouslascivioussalaciouslubriciouslibidinouslibertineprofligatedissolutedissipateddebaucheddegeneratereprobatecorruptsinfuldated:loosefastof easy virtueOpposite chastemoral
   • 3. growing profusely; luxuriant: archaic "where wanton ivy twines"
   • ▪ lively; playful: "a wanton fawn" Similar capriciousplayfulfriskyjollyfun-lovinglivelyfull of lifehigh-spiritedspiritedcarelessheedlessimpulsiveimpetuousrashrecklessabandonedaudaciouscavalierdevil-may-carehappy-go-luckyarchaic:frolicsomesportiveOpposite serious

   noun

   • 1. a sexually unrestrained woman: archaic "she'd behaved like a wanton"

   verb

   • 1. play; frolic: "they sat gazing at the white-flecked pure blue sea and the various gulls that wantoned in the wake"
   • 2. behave in a sexually unrestrained way: "women who have wantoned with suitors"

   Word Origin Middle Englishwantowen ‘rebellious, lacking discipline’, from wan- ‘badly’ + Old Englishtogen ‘trained’ (related to team and tow1).

   Derivatives

   • 1. wantonness noun

   Scrabble Points: 9

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     4

   • A

     1

   • N

     1

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     1

   • O

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   • N

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