willing (ˈwɪlɪŋ
)
Definitions
adjective
- favourably disposed or inclined; ready
- cheerfully or eagerly compliant
- done, given, accepted, etc, freely or voluntarily
Alternative Forms
ˈwillingly adverb ˈwillingness nounSynonyms
View thesaurus entry=
inclined,
prepared,
happy,
pleased,
content,
in favour
consenting,
disposed,
favourable,
agreeable,
in the mood,
compliant,
amenable,
desirous,
so-minded
nothing loath,
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:
willing
If someone is willing to do something, they do not mind doing it or have no objection to doing it.She's willing to answer questions.ˈwɪlɪŋ ADJECTIVE She's willing to answer questions.
- Spanish:
deseoso
adj deseosa
- French:
disposé
adj
- German:
gewillt
adj
- Chinese: 乐意的 adj
- Arabic: مُسْتَعِدّ adj
- Portuguese: disposto adj disposta
- Russian: желающий adj желающая
- Croatian: voljan adj voljna
- Czech: ochotný adj
- Danish: villig adj
- Dutch: bereid adj
- Finnish: valmis johonkin adj
- Greek: πρόθυμος adj πρόθυμη
- Italian: volenteroso adj volenterosa
- Japanese: 進んで･･･する no_posp
- Korean: ...하고 싶은 마음이 드는 adj
- Norwegian: villig adj
- Polish: skłonny adj skłonna
- Brazilian Portuguese: disposto adj disposta
- European Spanish:
deseoso
adj deseosa
- Swedish: villig adj villigt
- Thai: อย่างสมัครใจ adj
- Turkish: istekli adj
- Vietnamese: sẵn lòng adj
Usage examples
He checked the directions she'd given him, savouring the irony of her willing contribution to her own downfall.
, THE LAST TEMPTATION (2002)You may think sex is just sex, but for girls, what we think of the relationship often affects what we're willing to do in the sack.
Maxim (2004)Inevitably, those who have made allegations will be accused of working off an electoral agenda, willing to sling mud at their opponent.
Irish Times (2002)Other councils, belatedly willing to become involved, talk diplomatically about avoiding past mistakes.
Glasgow Herald (2001)For anyone not willing to discuss the art of tying a knot for ten hours, De Niro's introspection held less charm.
, DE NIRO: A Biography (2002)