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 of willing

• 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

But there is a feeling Everton are hedging their bets; willing to sell at the right price — close to £20m — but having placed a valuation on him that may deter at least some potential suitors. — Patrick Boyland, New York Times, 14 July 2026

Norwegians who are better off are willing to give up some income to ensure that people in blue-collar jobs get by. — Nicholas D. Kristof, Mercury News, 14 July 2026

Reports from McKinsey and other research firms describe a widening gap between higher-income shoppers, who are still willing to spend on quality and convenience, and middle- and lower-income shoppers, who are cutting back and hunting for deals. — Arthur Zackiewicz, Footwear News, 14 July 2026

Finding the Right Provider Equally important is finding a provider who is willing to listen and to look beyond surface-level explanations. — Lauryn Higgins, Flow Space, 14 July 2026

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