wayward

Shortening of away +‎ -ward.

• IPA^(key): /ˈweɪwə(ɹ)d/, enPR: wā'wərd

• Audio (Southern England)

  (file)

• Rhymes: -eɪwə(ɹ)d

wayward (comparative more wayward, superlative most wayward)

1. Given to wilful, perverse deviation from the expected norm; tending to stray.
   • 1904 June, A[rthur] Conan Doyle, “The Adventure of the Three Students”, in The Return of Sherlock Holmes, New York, N.Y.: McClure, Phillips & Co., published February 1905, →OCLC:

     He is a brilliant fellow when he chooses to work—one of the brightest intellects of the University, but he is wayward, dissipated, and unprincipled.

   • 1909 September, L[ucy] M[aud] Montgomery, chapter VII, in Anne of Avonlea, Boston, Mass.: L[ouis] C[oues] Page & Company, →OCLC:

     Fancies are like shadows . . . you can’t cage them, they’re such wayward, dancing things.

   • 2004 October 1, Helen Pilcher, “Laughter in the lab”, in Nature, →DOI:

     The Ig Nobel awards are arguably the highlight of the scientific calendar. The prizes, which are the wayward son of the more righteous Nobels, are supposed to reward research that makes people laugh, then think.

2. Obstinate, contrary and unpredictable.

   Synonyms: see Thesaurus:obstinate

3. (sports) Not on target.
   • 2011 September 2, Phil McNulty, “Bulgaria 0-3 England”, in BBC‎:

     Bulgaria's only attacking weapon was the wayward shooting of Martin Petrov, whereas England's attacking options were awash with movement in the shape of Rooney, Young and Walcott.

• waywardness
• waywardly