wanton
adjective /ˈwɒntən/
/ˈwɑːntən/
(formal)- [usually before noun] causing harm or damage deliberately and for no acceptable reason
- wanton destruction
- a wanton disregard for human life
- the wanton killing of innocent creatures
- (old-fashioned, disapproving) (usually of a woman) behaving in an immoral way; having many sexual partnersTopics Personal qualitiesc2
Word OriginMiddle English wantowen ‘rebellious, lacking discipline’, from wan- ‘badly’ + Old English togen ‘trained’ (related to team and tow).