willing

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

Synonyms

• 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

He was a willing participant in the crime.

She's lending a willing hand.

Recent Examples on the Web

Furthermore, success stories will only emerge from firms willing to rethink workflows from the ground up. —Sol Rashidi, Forbes.com, 28 June 2025

Denverites willing to brave the heat and visit the Denver Zoo Conservation Alliance this summer may be able to sneak a peek at a new baby sloth snoozing and snuggling in the treetops of the Tropical Discovery exhibit. —Katie Langford, Denver Post, 28 June 2025

People are willing to go in, not just for the sake of being re-elected or for making money or some kind of fame, but for the people. —Audrey Conklin, FOXNews.com, 28 June 2025

Xander Bogaerts didn’t want to move to second base in Boston, but was willing to do so in San Diego. —Gabrielle Starr, Boston Herald, 27 June 2025

Word History

First Known Use

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