wayward
UK: ˈweɪwəd | US: ˈweɪwərd
adj. difficult to control or predict due to willful behavior
adj. turning away from what is expected or proper
adj. (archaic) turned or turning away from a course or direction
The word "wayward" originates from Middle English weyward, combining "way" (path or direction) and "-ward" (a suffix indicating tendency or direction). Originally, it described someone or something literally turning away from a path ("way-ward"). Over time, the meaning evolved metaphorically to describe willful disobedience or unpredictability, as if deviating from an expected "path" of behavior. The suffix "-ward" (from Old English -weard) is also seen in words like "forward" or "backward," reinforcing directional logic.
The wayward child refused to follow the teacher's instructions.
A wayward breeze scattered the papers across the room.
His wayward ambitions led him to abandon traditional career paths.
The sailor struggled to correct the ship's wayward course.
She sighed at her wayward cat, who always wandered into the neighbor's garden.