Wantoners

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. The term refers to individuals who act with reckless abandon or immorality, often engaging in excessive and unrestrained behavior
2. It can describe people who indulge in wanton acts, demonstrating a lack of concern for consequences or moral standards
3. Additionally, this word might imply those who are excessively playful or mischievous, often causing trouble or chaos in a carefree manner

Etymology: "Wantoners" is simply the plural of "wantoner," which is a derived form of "wanton." The noun itself combines "wanton" with the suffix "-er," the same ending that forms words like "builder" or "singer." Its root, "wanton," is older and far more colorful: it originally meant "lacking discipline" or "ill-bred" rather than sexually immoral or reckless, since the first element "wan-" carries a sense of "lacking" and the second element relates to "train" or "bring up," so the word described someone poorly brought up or undisciplined. Because "wanton" appears in English as both an adjective and a noun, "wantoner" follows the same pattern of meaning. The suffix can mark someone who does a thing or belongs to a category, so a wantoner is a person whose behavior is defined by that undisciplined excess. The plural simply adds "-s" to count several such people together.

Synonyms: debauchees, libertines, profligates, dissolutes, revelers

Antonyms: chaste, virtuous, moralists