willing

adjective

will·​ing ˈwi-liŋ How to pronounce willing (audio)
1
: inclined or favorably disposed in mind : ready
willing and eager to help
2
: prompt to act or respond
lending a willing hand
3
: done, borne, or accepted by choice or without reluctance
a willing sacrifice
4
: of or relating to the will or power of choosing : volitional
willingly adverb
willingness noun
Choose the Right Synonym for willing

voluntary, intentional, deliberate, willing mean done or brought about of one's own will.

voluntary implies freedom and spontaneity of choice or action without external compulsion.

a voluntary confession

intentional stresses an awareness of an end to be achieved.

the intentional concealment of vital information

deliberate implies full consciousness of the nature of one's act and its consequences.

deliberate acts of sabotage

willing implies a readiness and eagerness to accede to or anticipate the wishes of another.

willing obedience

Examples of willing in a Sentence

He was a willing participant in the crime. She's lending a willing hand.
Recent Examples on the Web The Israeli public—and especially the Israeli right—was previously willing to look the other way on Haredi enlistment to advance other political priorities. Yair Rosenberg, The Atlantic, 15 Mar. 2024 The two hikers chosen have to be willing to send in weekly updates so everyone can follow them on their trek. Summer Lin, Los Angeles Times, 15 Mar. 2024 Recruiters needed to find people willing to wear the badge. Carolyn Van Houten, Washington Post, 14 Mar. 2024 But the principle has been weakened in recent years as more center-right parties have proven willing to build coalitions with more extremist groups. Christian Edwards, CNN, 14 Mar. 2024 Targeting recent graduates, as the European office specifically does, could also help augment more experienced candidates willing to compromise pay for principles. Chris Stokel-Walker, WIRED, 14 Mar. 2024 That means the music company can raise more funding from a specific portfolio through an ABS than a bank would be willing to lend against the same assets. Glenn Peoples, Billboard, 13 Mar. 2024 Short subjects willing to tackle tough subjects made the final cut with the Academy this year. Peter Debruge, Variety, 4 Mar. 2024 But even as many Democrats both in Washington and around the country quietly pine for someone else to take on former President Donald J. Trump, who leads nationwide in the poll by 5 percentage points, no one who matters seems willing to tell that to Mr. Biden himself. Peter Baker, New York Times, 2 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'willing.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of willing was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near willing

Cite this Entry

“Willing.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/willing. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

willing

adjective
will·​ing ˈwil-iŋ How to pronounce willing (audio)
1
: feeling no objection : ready
willing to go
2
: prompt to act or respond
willing workers
3
: done, made, or given by choice
a willing sacrifice
willingly adverb
willingness noun

More from Merriam-Webster on willing

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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