1will1 (wɪl
)
Definitions
verb
Word forms: past tense, would
to or an implied infinitive - you, he, she, it, they, or a noun as subject used as an auxiliary to make the future tense Compare shall (sense 1)
- used as an auxiliary to express resolution on the part of the speaker ⇒
I will buy that radio if it's the last thing I do
- used as an auxiliary to indicate willingness or desire ⇒
will you help me with this problem?
- used as an auxiliary to express compulsion, as in commands ⇒
you will report your findings to me tomorrow
- used as an auxiliary to express capacity or ability ⇒
this rope will support a load
- used as an auxiliary to express probability or expectation on the part of the speaker ⇒
that will be Jim telephoning
- used as an auxiliary to express customary practice or inevitability ⇒
boys will be boys
- (with the infinitive always implied) used as an auxiliary to express desire: usually in polite requests ⇒
stay if you will
- See what you will
- See will do
Word Origin
Old English willan; related to Old Saxon willian, Old Norse vilja, Old High German wollen, Latin velle to wish, willSynonyms
View thesaurus entry=
determination,
drive,
aim,
purpose,
commitment,
resolution,
resolve,
intention,
spine,
backbone,
tenacity,
willpower,
single-mindedness,
doggedness,
firmness of purpose
2will2 (wɪl)
Definitions
noun
- the faculty of conscious and deliberate choice of action; volition related adjectives voluntaryvolitive
- the act or an instance of asserting a choice
- the declaration of a person's wishes regarding the disposal of his or her property after death related adjective testamentary
- a revocable instrument by which such wishes are expressed
- anything decided upon or chosen, esp by a person in authority; desire; wish
- determined intention ⇒
where there's a will there's a way
- disposition or attitude towards others ⇒
he bears you no ill will
- See at will
- See with a will
- See with the best will in the world
verb (mainly tr; often takes a clause as object or an infinitive)
- (also intr) to exercise the faculty of volition in an attempt to accomplish (something) ⇒
he willed his wife's recovery from her illness
- to give (property) by will to a person, society, etc ⇒
he willed his art collection to the nation
- (also intr) to order or decree ⇒
the king wills that you shall die
- to choose or prefer ⇒
wander where you will
- to yearn for or desire ⇒
to will that one's friends be happy
Alternative Forms
ˈwiller nounWord Origin
Old English willa; related to Old Norse vili, Old High German willeo (German Wille ), Gothic wilja, Old Slavonic voljaQuotations
"Where there's a will there's a way"
Translations
- British English:
will
Will is the determination to do something.He lost his will to live.wɪl NOUN He lost his will to live.
- Spanish:
testamento
nm
- French:
volonté
nf
- German:
Testament
nnt
- Chinese: 意志 n
- Arabic: إرَادَة n
- Portuguese: testamento nm
- Russian: завещание nnt
- Croatian: oporuka nf
- Czech: závěť nf
- Danish: testamente nnt
- Dutch: testament nnt
- Finnish: testamentti n
- Greek: διαθήκη nf
- Italian: testamento nm
- Japanese: 意志 n
- Korean: 유서 n
- Norwegian: testamente nnt
- Polish: testament nm
- Brazilian Portuguese: vontade nf
- European Spanish:
testamento
nm
- Swedish: testamente nnt
- Thai: ฬินัยกรรม n
- Turkish: vasiyet n
- Vietnamese: di chúc n
- British English:
will
A will is a legal document stating what you want to happen to your money when you die.wɪl NOUN
- Spanish:
voluntad
nf
- French:
testament
nm
- German:
Wille
nm
- Chinese: 遗嘱 n
- Arabic: وَصِيَّة n
- Portuguese: vontade nf
- Russian: воля nf
- Croatian: volja nf
- Czech: vůle nnt
- Danish: vilje nutr
- Dutch: wil nm
- Finnish: tahto n
- Greek: θέληση nf
- Italian: volontà nf
- Japanese: 遺言 n
- Korean: 의지 n
- Norwegian: vilje nm
- Polish: wola nf
- Brazilian Portuguese: testamento nm
- European Spanish:
voluntad
nf
- Swedish: vilja nutr
- Thai: แรงบันดาลใจ n
- Turkish: irade n
- Vietnamese: ý chí n
Usage examples
But wherever he is, unless he's dead, Jack will be doing all right.
, YESTERDAY'S SHADOW (2002)GARDENS TO VISIT Secret Gardens of the Riviera Garden lovers will find no better place to explore than the French Riviera.
Country Life (2004)He will face the incumbent Democrat, Governor Gray Davis, in the fall.
Irish Times (2002)They will , however, generally take up a reference with your employer.
Glasgow Herald (2001)Then, perhaps, the future of traditional wisdom and traditional cultures such as the Aborigines' will flourish in the world once more.
, ABORIGINE DREAMING: Introduction to the Wisdom and Thought of the Aboriginal Traditions of Australia (2002)