wilful

American

[wil-fuhl] / ˈwɪl fəl /

adjective

willful.

wilful British

/ ˈwɪlfʊl /

adjective

intent on having one's own way; headstrong or obstinate
intentional

wilful murder

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

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Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The Jonjo O'Neill-trained 14-1 chance Wilful stormed over the line in the County Hurdle, ridden by his son Jonjo Jr.

From BBC • Mar. 13, 2026

"Wilful retention is not accidental, negligent, or reckless," according to the Journal of National Security Law and Policy.

From BBC • Jun. 8, 2023

Wilful neglect will be made a criminal offence in England and Wales under NHS changes next week following the Mid Staffordshire and other care scandals.

From BBC • Nov. 16, 2013

One young Prince not only guesses all the riddles, but makes Her Wilful Highness like him for it, as well.

From Time Magazine Archive

The contrast is not really between Morality and Religion, but between Morality and Immorality, Falsehood, Fraud, and Wilful Imposition.

From Modern Substitutes for Christianity by Muir, Pearson McAdam

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023