First Known Use: 1608
in the meaning defined at sense 1
See Words from the same yearaimlessly, anyhow, anyway, anywise, desultorily, erratically, haphazard, haphazardly, helter-skelter, hit or miss, irregularly, randomly;
carefully, formally, gingerly, meticulously, orderly, punctiliously;
arbitrarily, capriciously, carelessly, casually, indiscriminately, informally, offhand, offhandedly, promiscuously, whimsically;
accidentally, fortuitously, inadvertently, unconsciously, unintentionally, unwittingly;
disconnectedly, disjointedly, fitfully, intermittently, spottily, unpredictably;
at random;
: in a careless and unplanned way
: in a way that does not allow any choices or planning
See words that rhyme with willy-nilly Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for willy-nilly Spanish Central: Translation of willy-nilly Nglish: Translation of willy-nilly for Spanish speakers
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