tearaway

[ tair-uh-wey ]

adjective

1. designed to be easily separated or opened by tearing:

   a box with a tearaway seal.

noun

1. British. a wild, reckless person.

Word History and Origins

Origin of tearaway¹

First recorded in 1825–35; adj., noun use of verb phrase tear away

Example Sentences

Several Indian pacers have arrived on the scene as tearaway quicks, only to settle into the "medium-fast" category as the years go by.

From BBC

There was even a powerful rally-inspired turbo model to whet the appetite of teenage tearaways - though they could never have afforded the insurance.

From BBC

Suddenly we had our primary weapon - a young tearaway who could strike fear into the Australians.

From BBC

The actor played Donte Charles, the original school tearaway, before going on to star in Emmerdale and set up a restaurant in Manchester.

From BBC

She had always been a tearaway, her stepmother said.

From New York Times