freewill

1 of 2

adjective

free·​will ˈfrē-ˌwil How to pronounce freewill (audio)

free will

2 of 2

noun

1
: voluntary choice or decision
I do this of my own free will
2
: freedom of humans to make choices that are not determined by prior causes or by divine intervention

Examples of freewill in a Sentence

Adjective a freewill confession of guilt made by the suspect during police interrogation our office staff made a freewill offering for UNESCO Noun He argues that all humans have free will. all of the workers at the homeless shelter are unpaid and are there of their own free will
Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Adjective
Coach for Men captures the never-resting energy of the city that never sleeps and the freewill spontaneity of all those who call it home. Dallas News, 30 Nov. 2022 All, too, will take place without a live audience and include links for freewill donations to nonprofits supporting Cleveland-area musicians and musical programs during coronavirus. Zachary Lewis, cleveland, 2 June 2020
Noun
The way people think about scenarios like these reveals how our understanding of free will is connected to our ideas about rational thinking. The Editors, JSTOR Daily, 29 Oct. 2024 The queue became a pictorial representation of Rhode’s biggest ambassadors who were there of their own free will. Avani Thakkar, refinery29.com, 28 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for freewill 

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1535, in the meaning defined above

Noun

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of freewill was in the 13th century

Dictionary Entries Near freewill

Cite this Entry

“Freewill.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/freewill. Accessed 14 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

freewill

1 of 2 adjective
free·​will ˌfrē-ˌwil How to pronounce freewill (audio)
: of or done by one's own free will : voluntary
a freewill offering

free will

2 of 2 noun
ˈfrē-ˈwil
: one's own choice or decision

More from Merriam-Webster on freewill

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