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  • Where there's a will, there's a way
    Where there's a will, there's a way
    If you want something badly enough, you can find the means to get it.
  • where there's a will, there's a way
    where there's a will, there's a way
    If one really wants to do something, one can. For example, Max has no idea of how to get the money to repair his boat, but where there's a will. This proverb was stated slightly differently in 1640 (To him that will, ways are not wanting) but has been repeated in its present form since the early 1800s. It is so well known it is often shortened, as in the example.

Where there's a will, there's a way

Cultural  
  1. If you want something badly enough, you can find the means to get it.


where there's a will, there's a way Idioms  
  1. If one really wants to do something, one can. For example, Max has no idea of how to get the money to repair his boat, but where there's a will. This proverb was stated slightly differently in 1640 (To him that will, ways are not wanting) but has been repeated in its present form since the early 1800s. It is so well known it is often shortened, as in the example.


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.

See Examples For:

Where there’s a will, there’s a way to achieve far more successful recycling rates than the dismal performance in New York and most of the country.

From New York Times Apr. 14, 2010

We answer, "Where there's a will there's a way."

From Hidden Treasures Or, Why Some Succeed While Others Fail by Harry A. Lewis

"Where there's a will there's a way," he murmured.

From Jonah and Co. by Dornford Yates

Where there’s a will, there’s a way, Mr. Caudle.”

From Mrs. Caudle's Curtain Lectures by Douglas William Jerrold

There's an old proverb that says, "Where there's a will there's a way;" and this is true.

From Step by Step; or Tidy's Way to Freedom by American Tract Society

And where there’s a will, there’s a way.

From Slate Mar. 24, 2026

I’m just hoping where there’s a will, there’s a way.

From Salon Apr. 8, 2025

Indeed, where there’s a will, there’s a way.

From Los Angeles Times Jan. 15, 2025

He argued that all too often, promises made at global summits were not met, but he insisted that "where there's a will, there's a way".

From BBC Aug. 3, 2023

So they went to work with a will and "where there's a will there's a way," in evil as well as good.

From From Boyhood to Manhood Life of Benjamin Franklin by William M. (William Makepeace) Thayer

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