willing

will·ing | \ ˈwi-liŋ

How to pronounce willing (audio)

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Definition of willing

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

Other Words from willing Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about willing

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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 Exotic animals often need special diets, housing and medical care that owners may not be willing or able to provide, according to a 2017 study in Animals. — Danielle Beurteaux, Scientific American, "Exotic Animal Cafés Featuring Otters, Lizards and Owls Raise Alarms," 30 Dec. 2020 House Democrats tried again in 2016 to challenge Trump’s win, but no senator was willing to stand with them. — Amber Phillips, Anchorage Daily News, "Trump allies in Congress will launch one more challenge to Biden’s win," 30 Dec. 2020 Not all companies are able, willing, or legally bound to provide extra accommodation for the new situations created by working from home during shelter-in-place, according to Sheeva J. Ghassemi-Vanni, an employment lawyer with Fenwick & West. — Chase Difeliciantonio, SFChronicle.com, "How blind Google engineer handles challenge of working remotely," 28 Dec. 2020 The state rules have been ambiguous on what happens when a hospital ends up with additional vaccine doses in the event that every frontline worker willing and able to receive the vaccine has done so. — Colleen Shalby, Los Angeles Times, "A hospital gave a COVID-19 vaccine to a Disney employee. It may be permitted under state guidance," 28 Dec. 2020 Air travel figures show many weren’t willing, or able, to make that sacrifice. — Washington Post, "At the end of an isolating year, even the embarrassing, frustrating, weird parts of family gatherings feel missed," 26 Dec. 2020 Because the sooner people are vaccinated, the sooner more people will be ready and willing to travel. — Scott Mcmurren, Anchorage Daily News, "Air carriers big and small are helping out with vaccine distribution in Alaska," 26 Dec. 2020 And also people are just generally more willing and open to do so. — Lenora Chu, The Christian Science Monitor, "‘A true outsider’s perspective’: Lenora Chu on the power of cultural influences (audio)," 23 Dec. 2020 McConnell noted a recent Associated Press poll that found only about half of the country is ready and willing to get vaccinated. — William Cummings, USA TODAY, "House Speaker Pelosi and Senate Leader McConnell get COVID-19 vaccine, the rest of Congress to follow," 18 Dec. 2020

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'willing.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Dictionary Entries near willing

will-in-the-wisp

Statistics for willing

Last Updated

15 Jan 2021

Cite this Entry

“Willing.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/willing. Accessed 21 Jan. 2021.

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More Definitions for willing

willing

adjective

English Language Learners Definition of willing

: not refusing to do something

: quick to act or respond : doing something or ready to do something without being persuaded

: done, made, or given by choice

See the full definition for willing in the English Language Learners Dictionary

willing

will·ing | \ ˈwi-liŋ

\

Kids Definition of willing

1 : feeling no objection I'm willing to go.

2 : not slow or lazy She's a willing worker.

3 : made, done, or given by choice : voluntary a willing sacrifice

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