wayward
gb/wˈeɪwɚd/ us/wˈeɪwɚd/
C1
English
kezelhetetlen, rakoncátlan, szeszélyes, kiszámíthatatlan, téves, elkalandozó, eltévedt, hűtlen
C1
1
rakoncátlan
C1
Usage pattern:
[a] wayward [child/teen/son/daughter]
His parents sent him to live with his aunt after he became increasingly wayward at school.
Miután az iskolában egyre kezelhetetlenebbé vált, a szülei elküldték, hogy a nagynénjénél lakjon.
The coach had a reputation for turning wayward teens into disciplined athletes.
Az edző híres volt arról, hogy a kezelhetetlen kamaszokból fegyelmezett sportolókat nevel.
She was worried that her little brother was becoming wayward after changing schools.
Learner examples
The teacher said he was a wayward student.
A tanár azt mondta, hogy kezelhetetlen diák volt.
My parents worry about wayward teenagers.
A szüleim aggódnak a kezelhetetlen tinédzserek miatt.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use wayward for 'awkward' or 'weird'; it mainly means 'disobedient' or 'hard to control'.
Meaning
disobedient and hard to control
Collocations
a wayward child
|a wayward teenager
|a wayward son
|a wayward daughter
|a wayward youth
|wayward behavior
|a wayward pupil
|a wayward student
|a wayward streak
|keep someone from becoming wayward
Synonyms
rebellious (often suggests actively resisting authority.)
|
unruly (emphasizes lack of discipline and control.)
|
headstrong (focuses on refusing advice more than breaking rules.)
Antonyms
obedient (willing to follow rules and instructions.)
|
well-behaved (shows good manners and self-control.)
Themes
people
|family
|behavior
|education
Definition
Someone who is wayward does not obey rules and is hard to manage.
(Especially of a child or young person) difficult to control because they do not follow rules or advice.
C1
2
szeszélyes
B2
Usage pattern:
wayward [temper/mood/impulse/behavior]
The wayward weather ruined several outdoor events in a row.
A szeszélyes időjárás egymás után több szabadtéri rendezvényt is tönkretett.
His wayward temper made him difficult to work with.
Kiszámíthatatlan indulatai miatt nehéz volt vele együtt dolgozni.
The project kept stalling because of wayward decisions at the top.
Learner examples
The train schedule is wayward today.
A vonatmenetrend ma teljesen kiszámíthatatlan.
Her mood can be wayward.
A hangulata szeszélyes tud lenni.
Common mistake:
Wayward is not the same as 'random' in a mathematical sense; it usually implies troublesome unpredictability.
Meaning
unpredictable; erratic
Collocations
a wayward temper
|a wayward mood
|wayward impulses
|wayward behavior
|a wayward imagination
|wayward decisions
|wayward choices
|wayward emotions
|wayward instincts
|wayward flights of fancy
Synonyms
erratic (stresses irregular, inconsistent change.)
|
capricious (suggests sudden changes of mind or mood.)
|
unpredictable (neutral term for not being easy to foresee.)
Antonyms
steady (stable and consistent over time.)
|
reliable (can be trusted to behave consistently.)
Themes
behavior
|emotions
|daily_life
Definition
If something is wayward, it changes in an unexpected way and is hard to control.
Unpredictable and changeable in a way that is difficult to manage or rely on.
C1
3
Usage pattern:
wayward [route/path/course/trajectory]
A wayward shot hit the post instead of the net.
Egy eltévedt lövés a háló helyett a kapufát találta el.
The hikers backtracked after realizing they had taken a wayward path.
A túrázók visszafordultak, amikor rájöttek, hogy rossz úton mennek.
The conversation went wayward and never returned to the main topic.
Learner examples
We took a wayward route and got lost.
Téves útvonalat választottunk, és eltévedtünk.
His thoughts went wayward.
Elkalandoztak a gondolatai.
Common mistake:
Don’t confuse with 'toward'; wayward means 'going away from the right way'.
Meaning
straying from the intended path
Collocations
a wayward path
|a wayward route
|a wayward course
|a wayward trajectory
|wayward steps
|a wayward journey
|a wayward glance
|wayward thoughts
|a wayward ball
|a wayward shot
Synonyms
off-course (often used for travel or a plan that has deviated.)
|
astray (emphasizes being lost or away from the right place.)
|
misdirected (stresses that the direction is wrong.)
Antonyms
direct (going straight toward a target or goal.)
|
true (accurately following the intended line or direction.)
Themes
travel
|movement
|planning
Definition
Something wayward goes away from the planned or correct direction.
Deviating from the expected, planned, or correct course or direction.
C2
FORMAL
4
hűtlen
B2
Usage pattern:
[a] wayward [husband/wife/spouse]
She refused to forgive her wayward husband after years of lies.
Évekig tartó hazugságok után nem volt hajlandó megbocsátani hűtlen férjének.
The novel portrays a wayward spouse trying to rebuild trust.
A regény egy hűtlen házastársat mutat be, aki megpróbálja újjáépíteni a bizalmat.
He was tired of being described as a wayward partner in the press.
Learner examples
He was an unfaithful, wayward husband.
Hűtlen, félrelépő férj volt.
Common mistake:
This use is much less common than 'disobedient'; it can sound old-fashioned or euphemistic.
Meaning
unfaithful in a relationship
Collocations
a wayward husband
|a wayward wife
|a wayward spouse
|a wayward partner
Synonyms
unfaithful (direct and common term for not being loyal to a partner.)
|
cheating (more informal and explicit.)
Antonyms
faithful (loyal to a partner and not having other relationships.)
|
loyal (emphasizes commitment and devotion.)
Themes
relationships
|family
Definition
A wayward husband or wife has been unfaithful.
(Especially in the phrase wayward husband/wife) having sexual or romantic relationships outside a committed partnership.
Grammar
Dictionary form
wayward
IPA
GB/wˈeɪwɚd/
US/wˈeɪwɚd/
Syllables & stress
way - ward (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (way)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: wayward
Expressions
wayward child
1/wˈeɪwɚd t͡ʃˈaɪld/
fixed phrase
disobedient child
A child who does not behave well and is hard to manage.
Examples
- The program offers mentoring for wayward children.
- She raised three kids, including one wayward child who later settled down.
Learner examples
- He was a wayward child.
wayward son
1/wˈeɪwɚd sˈʌn/
fixed phrase
disobedient or straying son
A son who does not follow rules or who has gone in a bad direction in life.
Examples
- After years away, the wayward son returned home to make amends.
- The story follows a wayward son trying to rebuild his relationship with his father.
Learner examples
- He was the wayward son of the family.
wayward spouse
1/wˈeɪwɚd spˈaʊs/
fixed phrase
formal
unfaithful partner
A husband or wife who has had another relationship.
Examples
- Friends urged her to leave her wayward spouse.
- The article discussed counseling options for couples after a wayward spouse admits an affair.
wayward youth
1/wˈeɪwɚd jˈuθ/
fixed phrase
troubled young person
A young person who often behaves badly or gets into trouble.
Examples
- The charity supports wayward youth through counseling and job training.
- He worked as a social worker with wayward youth in the city.
Learner examples
- The center helps wayward youth.