willies

[ wil-eez ]

noun

, (used with a plural verb)

1. Usually the willies. nervousness or fright; the jitters; the creeps:

   That horror movie gave me the willies.

willies

/ ˈwɪlɪz /

plural noun

1. the willies slang.
   nervousness, jitters, or fright (esp in the phrase give ( or get ) the willies )

Word History and Origins

Origin of willies¹

An Americanism dating back to 1895–1900; origin obscure; -s ³

Word History and Origins

Origin of willies¹

C20: of unknown origin

Idioms and Phrases

see under the creeps .

Example Sentences

“What about my dad? Does he give you the germ willies too?”

From Literature

Mr. Musk has said that Instagram “makes people depressed” and that Facebook, also owned by Meta, “gives me the willies.”

From New York Times

Each happens to be Black, and these strangers are giving Neve the willies, even though she is a light-skinned Black woman herself.

From New York Times

My favorite horror movies this year laid off the flashy effects and instead gave me the unshakable willies the unshowy way: with creeping dread and uncertain stillness.

From New York Times

The veg sandwich, in which a salty and steroidal oyster mushroom subs for the bird, just gives me the willies.

From Washington Post

Related Words

• angst
• apprehension
• concern
• disquiet
• doubt
• dread
• jitters
• misery
• misgiving
• mistrust
• nervousness
• panic
• restlessness
• suffering
• suspense
• trouble
• uncertainty
• unease
• uneasiness