English Reference
Adjective

promiscuous

adj.
C1 Advanced US /ˈpɹoʊmɪskwəs/ UK /pɹəmˈɪskjuːəs/ pro·mis·cu·ous

adj.having many sexual partners or being sexually active with many different people. It can also describe a person who is not careful about their behavior or habits.

adj.engaging in sexual relations with many partners; characterized by a lack of restraint or discipline. Often carries a negative social or moral connotation.


CONTEXTUAL

The scientist noted that the bacteria were promiscuous, often sharing genetic material with distant relatives.

Russia’s promiscuous use of missiles and drones against Ukrainian cities, anyway, means that the whole of Ukraine is a frontline and, like most visitors to Kyiv, Higgins gets caught up in air raids.

The Guardian· 19 Aug 2026

From Latin prōmiscuus (“mixed, not separated”), from prō (“forth”) + misceō (“mix”).

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

This entry
Origin Latin prōmiscuus
Level C1 · Advanced
Frequency Occasional
Updated