wayward
/ˈweɪwə(ɹ)d/ adjective, noun
Forms waywards
- adjective Given to a wilful, perverse deviation from the expected norm; tending to stray.
- adjective Obstinate, contrary and unpredictable.
- adjective (sports) Not on target.
- noun (dated) Someone, especially a young woman or girl, who is wayward.
Synonyms
adamant ardent grim untiring bent on bloody-minded bullheaded certain chronic confirmed determined diehard dogged hard-hearted hard-nosed hardheaded headstrong immovable incalcitrant inflexible contrary obstinate perverse
Etymology
Shortening of away + -ward.
Webster’s 1913
Etymology [OE. weiward, for aweiward, i. e., turned away. See Away, and -ward.]
Sources: Wiktionary · WordNet 3.0 · Webster’s 1913 — from the Wiktionary entry “wayward”, CC BY-SA 4.0. Details