The word "wanton" is spelled with six letters and is pronounced /ˈwɒntən/ in IPA phonetic transcription. The first syllable is stressed, with a short "o" sound. The second syllable contains a soft "t" sound followed by a schwa vowel. The word can mean reckless, immoral, or sexually promiscuous. It originates from Old English, where it was spelled "wantan," and has evolved into its current spelling over time. Paying attention to the spelling and pronunciation of words like wanton can help improve communication skills and language proficiency.
Wanton is an adjective that can have several meanings depending on the context. Primarily, it refers to something that is recklessly done or extravagant, often implying a lack of care or consideration for others. Wanton behavior often involves engaging in activities without justification or reason, typically disregarding moral or social codes. It conveys a sense of excessive or uninhibited indulgence, often leading to negative consequences or harm. For instance, a wanton act of destruction refers to willfully and recklessly causing damage or harm without any valid reason.
Additionally, wanton can also describe a person who is lewd, promiscuous, or sexually unrestrained. It characterizes someone who engages in sexual activities without any sense of modesty or restraint, often indicating a disregard for conventional moral standards or principles.
Furthermore, wanton can be used to describe excessive or lavish luxuries. It suggests an extravagant display of wealth or opulence without regard for practicality or necessity. For example, a person who leads a life of wanton luxury indulges in material pleasures and extravagance beyond what is considered reasonable or justified.
In summary, wanton typically describes behavior, actions, or individuals that are reckless, extravagant, morally unrestrained, or sexually promiscuous. It implies a lack of consideration for consequences or societal norms, often leading to negative outcomes or disapproval from others.
• Unrestrained; loose; indulging the natural appetites; disposed to lewdness; running to excess; reckless.
• A lascivious man or woman; a woman inclined to lewdness.
• To play or revel without restraint; to behave with lewdness; to revel.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "wanton" originated from Old English, where it was spelled as "wantogen" or "wan-togen". Its etymology can be traced back to the combination of two elements: "wan" meaning "deficient" or "lacking", and "togen" which refers to "restrained" or "controlled". Over time, the Middle English version of the word, "wantouun", evolved and eventually became "wanton" in modern English. Initially, it referred to someone who was lacking self-restraint or self-control, particularly in terms of sexual promiscuity or immoral behavior. Gradually, its meaning expanded to include recklessness, disregard for rules, or indulging in excess of any kind.