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willing Definition

will·ing (wil′iŋ)

adjective

  1. favorably disposed or consenting (to do something specified or implied)
  2. acting, giving, etc. readily and cheerfully
  3. done, given, etc. readily or gladly; voluntary

Etymology: ME < OE willung < willian, to will, v.

willing Related Forms
will′·ingly adverb will′·ing·ness noun
willing Synonyms

willing

modif.

  1. Zealous

    energetic, prompt, reliable, active, obedient, enthusiastic, responsible, agreeable, well-disposed.

    Antonyms reluctant*, grudging, stubborn.

  2. Ready to comply

    prepared, voluntary, ready, compliant, amenable, tractable, feeling, like, in accord with.

    Antonyms opposed*, averse, unwilling*.

willing Usage Examples

Adjective complement with noun phrase

  • find: Either have them put down or find an animal rescue center willing to take them in.

Modifying Another Word

  • always: I am also always willing to expand my own collection.
  • quite: It stated that the firm were quite willing to receive a deputation of the London Trades Council on the matter.
  • too: Most of the television money was committed to players ' salaries which agents were only too willing to ratchet ever upwards.

Infinitive complement

  • accept: No tests will be applied to any parent or teacher who is willing to accept the ethos of the school.
  • listen: Anything could happen there -- she often told anyone willing to listen.
  • pay: Only you can decide how much you are willing to pay to save the planet.
  • invest: In return you will be working for an ambitious company who are willing to invest in you.
  • participate: Must be willing to participate in all aspects of office operations.
  • sacrifice: We find ourselves in a world system of globalization willing to sacrifice millions of human beings.

Modifies a noun

  • helper: So many willing helpers and workers at harvest fills me with hope for our Christmas Bazaar on December 4th.
  • accomplice: DG took the bait and offered himself as a willing accomplice in the transfer of the funds.
  • volunteer: Your puppy will learn a great deal quicker if you can enlist the help of some willing volunteers.
  • seller: In Denmark it is almost impossible to start a new pharmacy shop as one has to buy an existing business from a willing seller.
  • suspension: He said: There's a willing suspension of disbelief.
  • participant: Using techniques of stop-motion, duplication and substitution the works extend an invitation to the audience to be willing participants in their fictions.

Used with adjective complement

  • seem: The range the valid mechanism for seems willing to with the addition.
  • prove: Several Kindred had already entered the fief but all proved willing to acknowledge him as Prince.
  • remain: We remain willing to work with the IASB to place these standards on a principles-based and operable footing.
  • become: The results indicate that landlords have become more willing to align lease terms with business needs.