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

Neither company was willing to disclose the value of the deal at this time. —David Blackmon, Forbes, 13 Sep. 2024

Even people with private health plans have trouble finding affordable, in-network mental health care because of a lack of providers willing to accept low insurance reimbursement rates, Behm said. —Sam Whitehead, Renuka Rayasam and Andy Miller, CNN, 13 Sep. 2024

Councilwoman Gleam Davis disagreed with that tactic and suggested that officers approach people who are willing to talk to them. —Ruben Vives, Los Angeles Times, 13 Sep. 2024

As with nearly all location decisions, the key factor is whether the state is willing to offer a tax incentive. —Gene Maddaus, Variety, 13 Sep. 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