willing

1 of 2

adjective

will·​ing ˈwi-liŋ 

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

ˈwi-liŋ-lē 

adverb

willingness noun

willing

2 of 2

present participle of will entry 3

Synonyms of willing

Adjective

• ready
• inclined
• glad

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

Adjective

He was a willing participant in the crime.

She's lending a willing hand.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

But skiers who are willing to challenge themselves, fall and get back up again learn from every run. — Suzanne Konstance, Forbes.com, 6 Nov. 2026

Every minute on the clock is tracked, right down to the bathroom breaks; and every assignment is offered only to the contractors willing to put the rest of their life on hold. — Noel Murray, Vulture, 6 Nov. 2026

Southern Brooklyn shows what happens when grassroots leaders serve their neighbors, organize year-round, and find a political party willing to invest in their work. — Joey Saban, New York Daily News, 6 Nov. 2026

Homes are sitting on the market longer, buyers have more choices, and sellers are more willing to negotiate on price or offer concessions, such as help with closing costs or mortgage rate buydowns. — Sydney Lake, Fortune, 6 Nov. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing willing

• God willing
• show willing
• the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak

Rhymes for willing

• billing
• chilling
• drilling
• filling
• grilling
• killing
• milling
• pilling
• rilling
• schilling
• shilling
• skilling

Kids Definition

willing

adjective

will·​ing ˈwil-iŋ 

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