wayward
gb/wˈeɪwɚd/ us/wˈeɪwɚd/
C1
Inglês
Aceções
0 aceções
adjective
C1
property
1
disobedient and hard to control
Someone who is wayward does not obey rules and is hard to manage.
Padrão de uso:
[a] wayward [child/teen/son/daughter]
Erro comum:
Learners sometimes use wayward for 'awkward' or 'weird'; it mainly means 'disobedient' or 'hard to control'.
Sinónimos
rebellious (often suggests actively resisting authority.)
|
unruly (emphasizes lack of discipline and control.)
|
headstrong (focuses on refusing advice more than breaking rules.)
Antónimos
obedient (willing to follow rules and instructions.)
|
well-behaved (shows good manners and self-control.)
Colocações
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
Temas
people
|family
|behavior
|education
Exemplos
- His parents sent him to live with his aunt after he became increasingly wayward at school.
- The coach had a reputation for turning wayward teens into disciplined athletes.
- She was worried that her little brother was becoming wayward after changing schools.
Exemplos para aprendentes
- The teacher said he was a wayward student.
- My parents worry about wayward teenagers.
adjective
C1
property
2
unpredictable; erratic
If something is wayward, it changes in an unexpected way and is hard to control.
Padrão de uso:
wayward [temper/mood/impulse/behavior]
Erro comum:
Wayward is not the same as 'random' in a mathematical sense; it usually implies troublesome unpredictability.
Sinónimos
erratic (stresses irregular, inconsistent change.)
|
capricious (suggests sudden changes of mind or mood.)
|
unpredictable (neutral term for not being easy to foresee.)
Antónimos
steady (stable and consistent over time.)
|
reliable (can be trusted to behave consistently.)
Colocações
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
Temas
behavior
|emotions
|daily_life
Exemplos
- The wayward weather ruined several outdoor events in a row.
- His wayward temper made him difficult to work with.
- The project kept stalling because of wayward decisions at the top.
Exemplos para aprendentes
- The train schedule is wayward today.
- Her mood can be wayward.
adjective
C1
property
3
straying from the intended path
Something wayward goes away from the planned or correct direction.
Padrão de uso:
wayward [route/path/course/trajectory]
Erro comum:
Don’t confuse with 'toward'; wayward means 'going away from the right way'.
Sinónimos
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.)
Antónimos
direct (going straight toward a target or goal.)
|
true (accurately following the intended line or direction.)
Colocações
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
Temas
travel
|movement
|planning
Exemplos
- A wayward shot hit the post instead of the net.
- The hikers backtracked after realizing they had taken a wayward path.
- The conversation went wayward and never returned to the main topic.
Exemplos para aprendentes
- We took a wayward route and got lost.
- His thoughts went wayward.
adjective
formal
C2
property
4
unfaithful in a relationship
A wayward husband or wife has been unfaithful.
Padrão de uso:
[a] wayward [husband/wife/spouse]
Erro comum:
This use is much less common than 'disobedient'; it can sound old-fashioned or euphemistic.
Sinónimos
unfaithful (direct and common term for not being loyal to a partner.)
|
cheating (more informal and explicit.)
Antónimos
faithful (loyal to a partner and not having other relationships.)
|
loyal (emphasizes commitment and devotion.)
Colocações
a wayward husband
|a wayward wife
|a wayward spouse
|a wayward partner
Temas
relationships
|family
Exemplos
- She refused to forgive her wayward husband after years of lies.
- The novel portrays a wayward spouse trying to rebuild trust.
- He was tired of being described as a wayward partner in the press.
Exemplos para aprendentes
- He was an unfaithful, wayward husband.
Gramática
Forma de dicionário
wayward
IPA
GB/wˈeɪwɚd/
US/wˈeɪwɚd/
Sílabas e acento
way - ward (2 sílabas)
Stress on 1st syllable (way)
Formas da palavra
Adjective
- Base: wayward
Expressões
wayward child
1/wˈeɪwɚd t͡ʃˈaɪld/
fixed phrase
disobedient child
A child who does not behave well and is hard to manage.
Exemplos
- The program offers mentoring for wayward children.
- She raised three kids, including one wayward child who later settled down.
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.
Exemplos
- 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.
wayward spouse
1/wˈeɪwɚd spˈaʊs/
fixed phrase
formal
unfaithful partner
A husband or wife who has had another relationship.
Exemplos
- 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.
Exemplos
- The charity supports wayward youth through counseling and job training.
- He worked as a social worker with wayward youth in the city.