wan·ton·ness \-tən(n)ə̇s, -tən(-\noun (-es) Etymology: Middle English wantonnes, from wanton (I) + -nes -ness 1.: the quality or state of being wanton < ideas characterized chiefly by their sheer wantonness > < the wantonness of jungle growth > < negligence amounting to wantonness > 2.: an instance or example of wanton action