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adj

promiscuous

pruh-MIHS-kyoo-uhs
adj
1
Having sexual relationships with many different partners, often casually.
"The show was criticized for portraying its promiscuous characters without any consequences."
2
Made up of a disorganized mix of different, unrelated elements.
"The essay was a promiscuous jumble of ideas that never quite came together."

How to Use Promiscuous

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishMost often describes someone with many casual sexual partners; can also describe a disorderly mixture.

Common mistake

In networking, "promiscuous mode" describes a network card that reads all traffic rather than just its own — a technical, non-judgmental use of the word.

Word Forms

more promiscuous comparative, most promiscuous superlative

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The show was criticized for portraying its _____ characters without any consequences.

Etymology

From Latin prōmiscuus ("mixed, undivided"), from prō- ("forth") plus misceō ("to mix").

Related Words

Rhymes for promiscuous

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Definitions: FreeDict original editorial