willing

adjective

will·​ing ˈwi-liŋ 

1

: inclined or favorably disposed in mind : ready

willing and eager to help

2

: prompt to act or respond

lending a willing hand

3

: done, borne, or accepted by choice or without reluctance

a willing sacrifice

4

: of or relating to the will or power of choosing : volitional

willingly

ˈwi-liŋ-lē 

adverb

willingness noun

Synonyms

• amenable
• disposed
• fain
• game
• glad
• inclined
• minded
• ready

Choose the Right Synonym for willing

voluntary, intentional, deliberate, willing mean done or brought about of one's own will.

voluntary implies freedom and spontaneity of choice or action without external compulsion.

a voluntary confession

intentional stresses an awareness of an end to be achieved.

the intentional concealment of vital information

deliberate implies full consciousness of the nature of one's act and its consequences.

deliberate acts of sabotage

willing implies a readiness and eagerness to accede to or anticipate the wishes of another.

willing obedience

Examples of willing in a Sentence

He was a willing participant in the crime.

She's lending a willing hand.

Recent Examples on the Web

Good journalism offers a way through, but only if readers are willing to follow: trust and naïveté can feel uncomfortably close. —Fergus McIntosh, The New Yorker, 11 Jan. 2025

Iranian clerics who were willing to work with the Shah were undermined. —Letters To The Editor, Orlando Sentinel, 11 Jan. 2025

The super-premium rum category saw double-digit growth in many markets, driven by connoisseurs willing to pay more for unique expressions. —Joseph V Micallef, Forbes, 11 Jan. 2025

Old Books Rare and first edition books have an enthusiastic collector base that is willing to shell out big bucks for the most desirable titles, some of which could be hiding in your own library. —Heather Bien, Southern Living, 10 Jan. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing willing

• God willing
• show willing
• the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak

Kids Definition

willing

adjective

will·​ing ˈwil-iŋ 

1

: feeling no objection : ready

willing to go

2

: prompt to act or respond

willing workers

3

: done, made, or given by choice

a willing sacrifice

willingly adverb

willingness noun