willing

[ wil-ing ]

adjective

1. disposed or consenting; inclined:

   willing to go along.

   Synonyms: minded

2. cheerfully consenting or ready:

   a willing worker.

3. done, given, borne, used, etc., with cheerful readiness.

willing

/ ˈwɪlɪŋ /

adjective

1. favourably disposed or inclined; ready
2. cheerfully or eagerly compliant
3. done, given, accepted, etc, freely or voluntarily

Derived Forms

• ˈwillingly, adverb
• ˈwillingness, noun

Other Words From

• will·ing·ly adverb
• will·ing·ness noun
• o·ver·will·ing adjective
• pre·will·ing adjective
• qua·si-will·ing adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of willing¹

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English; will ², -ing ²

Idioms and Phrases

see ready, willing, and able ; spirit is willing but the flesh is weak .

Example Sentences

She was one of the only country representatives willing to speak on the record.

From BBC

She’d already ordered her vases online, and she wasn’t willing to spend the thousands of dollars she’d been quoted to have someone else prepare all the flowers for the wedding and reception with 28 guests.

From Los Angeles Times

At a recent book club meeting, her fellow group members were willing to let her vent about politics for five minutes, but they weren’t interested in discussing ways they could counteract the incoming president.

From Los Angeles Times

Some Labour MPs have been willing privately - though not publicly - to argue that it would be a good thing if the changes lead to a fall in the value of farmland.

From BBC

But that dangerous feeling of exposure is the central preoccupation of the new drama “Queer,” and it can’t be explored without a lead actor who is similarly willing to offer himself up.

From New York Times

Related Words

• active
• amenable
• eager
• enthusiastic
• happy
• inclined
• pleased
• prepared
• prone
• responsible