willing

adjective will·ing \ ˈwi-liŋ \

|Updated on: 10 Jul 2018

Tip: Synonym Guide

Examples: willing in a Sentence

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

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willingly

play \ˈwi-liŋ-lē\ adverb

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willingness

noun

See willing defined for English-language learners

See willing defined for kids

Examples of willing in a Sentence

He was a willing participant in the crime.
She's lending a willing hand.

Recent Examples of willing from the Web

Insurgents willing to lay down their arms and live under Assad's rule can join amnesty deals, and those who had left their military service would be reintegrated into the army within six months.

— nabih bulos, latimes.com, "Rebels surrender southern Syrian enclave, handing Assad another major victory," 7 July 2018
But Americans keep speeding, willing to risk the financial consequences, which vary wildly from state to state.

— Fortune, "Speeding in These States Will Cost You a Fortune," 6 July 2018
Origami is counting on boozy passengers being willing to drop $10-$15 on a higher-quality option — say, handmade noodles with tri-tip smoked right out front.

— benjy egel, sacbee, "'Chipotle of Asian cuisine' opening soon in East Sac by former Paragary's chefs," 6 July 2018
There’s not a ton of labor around or people willing to milk cows.

— jason nark, Philly.com, "Down on the farm with the robots and drones," 5 July 2018
However, Kim was the only one brave enough to learn how to wakeboard, or at least the only one willing to document it on social media.

— sarah spellings, The Cut, "How 25 Celebrities Celebrated the Fourth of July," 5 July 2018
For many teams, making such a trip requires knowledgeable volunteers willing to take time off work and pay their own way.

— dave kallmann, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "'To be the best, you’ve got to race against the best and race all over the country'," 5 July 2018
There was no one out there last offseason willing to offer Dion Waiters four years.

— jordan mcpherson, miamiherald, "This ESPN personality on Miami Heat's Hassan Whiteside: 'He's not a winning player'," 5 July 2018
Mbappe has shown an ability and willing to run at defenders all over the field.

— paul carr, SI.com, "World Cup Quarterfinalists By the Numbers: Key Stat for Each Team," 4 July 2018

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.

First Known Use of willing

14th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

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willing Synonyms

Synonym Discussion of 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

WILLING Defined for English Language Learners

willing

adjective

Definition of willing for English Language Learners

: 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