Synonyms

willies

American

[wil-eez] / ˈwɪl iz /

noun

(used with a plural verb)

Usually the willies nervousness or fright; the jitters; the creeps.

That horror movie gave me the willies.

willies British

/ ˈwɪlɪz /

plural noun

slang nervousness, jitters, or fright (esp in the phrase give ( or get ) the willies )

"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

willies Idioms

see under the creeps.

Etymology

Origin of willies

An Americanism dating back to 1895–1900; origin obscure; cf. -s ³

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.

She started various side projects: the countrified Little Willies, the rockier El Madmo.

From The Guardian • Jun. 19, 2020

Cleveland is thin at wide receiver following injuries to Rashard Higgins and rookie Derrick Willies.

From Seattle Times • Oct. 14, 2018

Undrafted rookie Derrick Willies replaced him Sunday and made perhaps the game’s biggest play, turning a short catch into a 39-yard gain to help set up the game-winning field goal.

From Washington Times • Oct. 8, 2018

In overtime, as the Ravens’ defense attempted one last stand, Browns wide receiver Derrick Willies slipped out of Brandon Carr’s grasp on third and eight and galloped for 39 yards.

From Washington Post • Oct. 7, 2018

"Only a couple of Willies from the store," says a gent in his shirt sleeves, givin' us the stare.

From Side-stepping with Shorty by Ford, Sewell

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