Yo, Grammar: What’s up with “wanton” and “wonton”?

Hmmm …

So, Anon, the word you’re thinking of is “wonton” [won-ton].Wontons come in many different forms (steamed, fried, in a soup, etc.).

On the other hand, “wanton” [won-tn] is an adjective that means evil, malicious, immoral, sexually immodest, and undisciplined. As you can see, it’s clearly a negative word:

• The thugs inflicted wanton violence on the defenseless.
• Mr. Smith is disgusted with the wanton lack of respect shown to teachers these days.
• The driver raced with wanton abandon.