at-will

[ at-wil ]

adjective

1. being, relating to, or involved in a work agreement that the employer or employee may legally end at any time without notice or cause:

   Companies in this industry often use both contract and at-will employment options.

   Since they aren't at-will employees, they can only be discharged with cause.

   Even in at-will states, employers cannot fire you for discriminatory reasons.

Word History and Origins

Origin of at-will¹

First recorded in 1880–85

Idioms and Phrases

Freely, as one pleases, as in The grounds are open to the public and one can wander about at will , or With this thermostat you can adjust the room temperature at will . [1300s]

Example Sentences

Trump has also fantasized about his own version of “the Purge” where his police and other right-wing street thugs can run amok, killing and brutalizing “the enemy” at will.

From Salon

He also expressed a desire to unleash violent police enforcers to rampage and kill at will.

From Salon

Local rescuers shuffle in and out of her home at will; it is a streamlined community space as much as it is a residence.

From Salon

From there, Pakistan fell apart, England scored at will and the prospect of a rare triple-century quickly became a reality.

From BBC

Trump said last year that he wants the authority to remove at will anyone he considers to be a “rogue bureaucrat.”

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• candidly
• openly
• voluntarily
• willingly