willing

UK /ˈwɪlɪŋ/ US /ˈwɪlɪŋ/

adj 1noun 1name 1

Definitions

adj

Ready to do something, particularly something that requires change or effort; not objecting.

If my boyfriend isn't willing to change his drinking habits, I will split up with him.

In the eyes of Mr. Farquhar Fenelon Cooke the apotheosis of the Celebrity was complete. The people of Asquith were not only willing to attend the house-warming, but had been worked up to the pitch of eagerness. The Celebrity as a matter of course was master of ceremonies.

noun

The execution of a will.

name

A surname.

Collocations

(adj.)

VERBS

appear, be, prove, seem

She proved willing to help us move to our new apartment last weekend.

ADV

more than, only too, really, very

She was only too willing to help her friend move to a new apartment last weekend.

increasingly

perfectly, quite

She was perfectly willing to help her neighbor carry the heavy boxes upstairs.

enough

She was willing enough to help us move house, though she seemed a bit tired.

apparently

always

My grandfather was always willing to share stories about his life during the war.

no longer

Thesaurus

Synonyms

noun — the act of making a choice

volition

adjective — not brought about by coercion or force

uncoerced
unforced

Antonyms

unwilling

Idioms & Phrases

Lord willing and the creek don't rise

Barring unforeseen circumstances.

Near-synonym: hopefully (sentence adverbial sense)

the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak

As much as one wishes to achieve something, the frailties of the human body often make it impossible. Sometimes extended to jocular or organizational referents.

It’s obvious that when it comes to business vs government regulation the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.

willing horse

One who readily performs hard work or who voluntarily tolerates an adverse situation.

[A]fter a good deal of discussion (some of it angry) among the Major-Generals, it was settled as such things are everywhere—the willing horse (which SHERMAN always is) getting the

the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak

Alternative form of the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.

Example Bank

If my boyfriend isn't willing to change his drinking habits, I will split up with him.

Wiktionary

In the eyes of Mr. Farquhar Fenelon Cooke the apotheosis of the Celebrity was complete. The people of Asquith were not only willing to attend the house-warming, but had been worked up to the pitch of

Wiktionary

"Of course, the ventilation is awful. We pump the air down, but two-hour shifts are the most the men can do - and they are willing lads too."

Wiktionary

An astute reader should be willing to weigh everything they read, including anonymous sources.

Tatoeba · #1902

The convicted drug dealer was willing to comply with the authorities to have his death sentence reduced to a life sentence.

Tatoeba · #1934

Ray was willing to corroborate Gary's story, but the police were still unconvinced that either of them were telling the truth.

Tatoeba · #2008

Usage Notes

i Register

In some senses, willing is marked as obsolete, rare. Watch for register when choosing this word.

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