First Known Use: 14th century
Dictionary
1wanton
adjective wan·ton \ˈwȯn-tən, ˈwän-\
: showing no thought or care for the rights, feelings, or safety of others
: not limited or controlled
of a woman : having sex with many men
Full Definition of WANTON
1
a archaic : hard to control : undisciplined, unruly b : playfully mean or cruel : mischievous
3
a : merciless, inhumane <wanton cruelty> b : having no just foundation or provocation : malicious <a wanton attack>
4
: being without check or limitation: as a : luxuriantly rank <wanton vegetation> b : unduly lavish : extravagant <wanton imagination>
— wan·ton·ly adverb
— wan·ton·ness \-tən-nəs\ noun
See wanton defined for English-language learners
See wanton defined for kids
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Examples of WANTON
- No artist should be subjected to this much wanton affection: it's unseemly, like being hugged by a stranger who won't let go. —James Wolcott, New Republic, 30 Aug. 2004
- I also wrote that innocent people would die as a consequence of the wanton, lawless destruction of medical stocks in a dirt-poor country. —Christopher Hitchens, Nation, 31 May 1999
- While I was happy to find Mr. Pollan firmly allied with those of us who oppose the wanton broadcast of pesticides and inorganic fertilizers on lawn and garden, I wish he had lingered a little longer over this vital subject. —Maxine Kumin, New York Times Book Review, 9 June 1991
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Origin of WANTON
Middle English, from wan- deficient, wrong, mis- (from Old English, from wan deficient) + towen, past participle of teen to draw, train, discipline, from Old English tēon — more at tow
Related to WANTON
2wanton
noun wan·ton \ˈwȯn-tən, ˈwän-\
Definition of WANTON
1
a : one given to self-indulgent flirtation or trifling —used especially in the phrase play the wanton b : a lewd or lascivious person
2
: a pampered person or animal : pet; especially : a spoiled child
3
: a frolicsome child or animal
Examples of WANTON
- He practiced the anathema he would hurl at her from his pulpit when her shame was known—hussy, slut, harlot and wanton featured heavily … —James A. Michener, Texas, 1985
- During the middle years of their marriage … his campaign to free his bride so that she could become a wanton had languished. —Andrew M. Greeley, Ascent into Hell, 1983
- My informal education had begun the afternoon in Belleville Park when I discovered that girls were wantons willing to sneak away to shaded glades to be kissed. —Russell Baker, Growing Up, 1982
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Origin of WANTON
(see 1wanton)
First Known Use: 1509
3wanton
verb wan·ton \ˈwȯn-tən, ˈwän-\
Definition of WANTON
intransitive verb
transitive verb
: to pass or waste wantonly or in wantonness
— wan·ton·er noun
Examples of WANTON
- It might well be, said Mrs McNab, wantoning on with her memories; they had friends in eastern countries; gentlemen staying there, ladies in evening dress; she had seen them once through the dining-room door all sitting at dinner. —Virginia Woolf, To the Lighthouse, 1927
- … for Nature here / Wantoned as in her prime and played at will / Her virgin fancies, pouring forth more sweet, Wild above rule or art, enormous bliss. —John Milton, Paradise Lost, 1667
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Origin of WANTON
(see 1wanton)
First Known Use: 1582
WANTONNESS Defined for Kids
wanton
adjective wan·ton \ˈwȯn-tən\
Definition of WANTON for Kids
1
: not modest or proper : indecent
2
: showing no thought or care for the rights, feelings, or safety of others <wanton cruelty>
— wan·ton·ly adverb
— wan·ton·ness noun
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