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

The same study also noted that companies are willing to pay a premium for professionals with AI skills within IT, sales and marketing, finance, operations, legal and compliance, and HR (human resources), with the highest salary increase of 47% going to workers in the IT department. —Rachel Wells, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024

In 2016, Kelly was one of the few Republicans willing to call out Trump for his misogynistic remarks. —Kathleen Walsh, Glamour, 5 Nov. 2024

That three-album run solidified Tyler as one of hip-hop’s best mainstream album-makers and world-builders, and fans were willing to show up for him – even if that meant waking up early on a Monday morning. —Eric Renner Brown, Billboard, 5 Nov. 2024

Unlike polls, which survey voters directly, betting markets reflect the sentiments and behaviors of those willing to put money on an outcome. —Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2024

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