Definition of wanton
(Entry 1 of 3)
b
: having no just foundation or provocation : malicious
a wanton attack
2
: being without check or limitation: such as
a
: unduly lavish : extravagant
wanton imagination
b
: luxuriantly rank
wanton vegetation
4a
: playfully mean or cruel : mischievous
wanton
nounDefinition of wanton (Entry 2 of 3)
1a
: one given to self-indulgent flirtation or trifling
—used especially in the phrase play the wanton
b
: a lewd or lascivious person
3
: a frolicsome child or animal
wanton
verb
wantoned; wantoning; wantons
Definition of wanton (Entry 3 of 3)
: to be wanton or act wantonly (see wanton entry 1)
: to pass or waste wantonly or in wantonness
Keep scrolling for more
Keep scrolling for more
Keep scrolling for more
Keep scrolling for more
Test Your Vocabulary
More Confusing Words—Quiz
-
- The magician
______
moved the selected card to the top of the deck.

Can you spell these 10 commonly misspelled words?
TAKE THE QUIZ
Spell words. Make bears.
TAKE THE QUIZLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Words at Play
Ask the Editors
Share wanton
Time Traveler for wanton
The first known use of wanton was in the 14th century
See more words from the same century