willing

American  

[wil-ing] / ˈwɪl ɪŋ /

adjective

1. disposed or consenting; inclined.

   willing to go along.

   Synonyms:

   minded

2. cheerfully consenting or ready.

   a willing worker.

3. done, given, borne, used, etc., with cheerful readiness.

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willing British  

/ ˈwɪlɪŋ /

adjective

1. favourably disposed or inclined; ready

2. cheerfully or eagerly compliant

3. done, given, accepted, etc, freely or voluntarily

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willing Idioms  

1. see ready, willing, and able; spirit is willing but the flesh is weak.

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Other Word Forms

• overwilling adjective
• prewilling adjective
• quasi-willing adjective
• willingly adverb
• willingness noun

Etymology

Origin of willing

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English; will ², -ing ²

Explanation

If you're willing to do something, you're agreeable or ready. A willing participant in your play is someone who won't have to be coerced into taking part, but is happy to join you on stage. Imagine that your neighbor asks whether you're willing to feed her cat while she's out of town. If you're open to helping her, perhaps even enthusiastic about spending time with a friendly cat, you're willing. Someone who's not willing would have to be persuaded or forced to do it. You can also use this adjective to mean "readily or enthusiastically done," as in the willing support you offer your best friend when she runs for class president.

Example Sentences

In price-sensitive countries like India, where studying abroad depends on careful financial planning, families are now far less willing to take that kind of risk.

From BBC • Apr. 14, 2026

Those willing to pay even more get access to the "VIP experience" -- which includes a group table photo with Meghan and a goodie bag.

From Barron's • Apr. 14, 2026

But traders who hold that view aren’t willing to place big bets on it because the market is so volatile.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 14, 2026

Ye’s accuser is also willing to disclose his identity, the filing said, under “an appropriate protective order,” though numerous outlets reported on the victim’s suspected identity around the original incident two years ago.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 14, 2026

Finally, willing myself into action, I jogged silently down the path that led around the outer edge of the Academy next to the wall.

From "Glitch" by Laura Martin

Related Words

• active
• amenable
• eager
• enthusiastic
• happy
• inclined
• pleased
• prepared
• prone
• responsible