willing

1 of 2

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

willingness

2 of 2

noun

will·​ing·​ness

plural -es

: the quality or state of being willing

Synonyms of willing

Adjective

• 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

Adjective

He was a willing participant in the crime.

She's lending a willing hand.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

But is this really a viable check on a determined president willing to fire and replace anyone standing in his or her way? —Steven Andreasen, Twin Cities, 7 June 2026

Skincare is typically cheaper than those measures, and one that consumers are already willing to invest in. —Ramishah Maruf, CNN Money, 7 June 2026

The Rockies’ offseason trade of right-handed reliever Angel Chivilli for first baseman TJ Rumfield showed that the new front office is willing to trade talented relievers. —Patrick Saunders, Denver Post, 7 June 2026

America’s strength has always come from individuals empowered to act, communities willing to build, and leaders who expand opportunity rather than contain it. —Keith Krach, Fortune, 7 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

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