freewill

1 of 2

adjective

free·​will ˈfrē-ˌwil 

: voluntary, spontaneous

free will

2 of 2

noun

1

: voluntary choice or decision

I do this of my own free will

2

: freedom of humans to make choices that are not determined by prior causes or by divine intervention

Synonyms

Adjective

• self-imposed
• uncoerced
• unforced
• volitional
• voluntary
• volunteer
• willing

Noun

• accord
• autonomy
• choice
• self-determination
• volition
• will

Examples of freewill in a Sentence

Adjective

a freewill confession of guilt made by the suspect during police interrogation

our office staff made a freewill offering for UNESCO

Noun

He argues that all humans have free will.

all of the workers at the homeless shelter are unpaid and are there of their own free will

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Coach for Men captures the never-resting energy of the city that never sleeps and the freewill spontaneity of all those who call it home. —Dallas News, 30 Nov. 2022

All, too, will take place without a live audience and include links for freewill donations to nonprofits supporting Cleveland-area musicians and musical programs during coronavirus. —Zachary Lewis, cleveland, 2 June 2020

Noun

By the end, the film leaves a lasting impression — not only as a commentary on reproductive rights but as a human story of autonomy and compassion, and the lengths some women must go to preserve their own free will. —Matthew Carey, Deadline, 9 May 2025

The viewer doesn’t hold all that much sway over Stefan’s outcomes, but the illusory nature of free will is part of the point Bandersnatch is trying to make. —Charles Bramesco, Vulture, 10 Apr. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1535, in the meaning defined above

Noun

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

freewill

1 of 2 adjective

free·​will ˌfrē-ˌwil 

: of or done by one's own free will : voluntary

a freewill offering

free will

2 of 2 noun

ˈfrē-ˈwil

: one's own choice or decision