How to pronounce wanton
Say it like WAHN-tun. Wanton has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (WAHN).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce wanton. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- WAHN
- tun
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Wanton pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- WAHNSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ah" in father.
- tunKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of wanton
- The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English.
British respelling: WON-tun.
What does wanton mean?
- A pampered or coddled person.
- An overly playful person; a trifler.
- A self-indulgent person, fond of excess.
- To rove and ramble without restraint, rule, or limit; to revel; to play loosely; to frolic.
- To waste or squander, especially in pleasure (most often with away).“The young man wantoned away his inheritance.”
- To act wantonly; to be lewd or lascivious.
- Lewd, immoral; sexually open, unchaste.
- Capricious, reckless of morality, justice etc.; acting without regard for the law or the well-being of others; gratuitous.
Where does wanton come from?
From Middle English wantoun, wantowen, wantoȝen, wantowe (“uneducated; unrestrained; licentious; sportive; playful”), from wan- (“not, un-, mis-”) + towen, i-towen (“educated”, literally “towed; led; drawn”), from Old English togen, ġetogen
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Questions about saying wanton
How do you pronounce wanton?
Say WAHN-tun. The American pronunciation is /ˈwɑntən/. In British English it is /ˈwɒntən/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in wanton?
Wanton has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (WAHN). Broken into parts: WAHN · tun.
Is wanton pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English. The British form is /ˈwɒntən/ (WON-tun).