willing
willing
Definition
will·ing (wil′iŋ)
adjective
- favorably disposed or consenting (to do something specified or implied)
- acting, giving, etc. readily and cheerfully
- done, given, etc. readily or gladly; voluntary
Etymology: ME < OE willung < willian, to will, v.
will′·ingly adverb
will′·ing·ness noun
willing
Synonyms
willing
modif.
Zealous
energetic, prompt, reliable, active, obedient, enthusiastic, responsible, agreeable, well-disposed. Antonyms
reluctant*, grudging, stubborn. 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.
Browse dictionary entries near willing
- willies
- willie
- Williamsburg
- Williams Act
- Williams
- William the Conqueror
- William Tell
- William of Malmesbury
- William
- willful
- willingly
- willingness
- Willis
- williwaw
- willow
- willow herb
- willow oak
- willow pattern
- willowware
- willowy
