will
1am (is, are, etc.) about or going to: I will be there tomorrow. She will see you at dinner.
am (is, are, etc.) disposed or willing to: People will do right.
am (is, are, etc.) expected or required to: You will report to the principal at once.
may be expected or supposed to: You will not have forgotten him. This will be right.
am (is, are, etc.) determined or sure to (used emphatically): You would do it. People will talk.
am (is, are, etc.) accustomed to, or do usually or often: You will often see her sitting there. He would write for hours at a time.
am (is, are, etc.) habitually disposed or inclined to: Boys will be boys. After dinner they would read aloud.
am (is, are, etc.) capable of; can: This tree will live without water for three months.
am (is, are, etc.) going to: I will bid you “Good night.”
to wish; desire; like: Go where you will.Ask, if you will, who the owner is.
Origin of will
1confusables note For will
Words that may be confused with will
Words Nearby will
Other definitions for will (2 of 3)
the faculty of conscious and deliberate action; the power of control the mind has over one's actions: The teacher has chosen by her own will to create a whole new curriculum.
power in choosing one's own actions: A major factor in success is whether you have have a strong or a weak will.
the act or process of using or asserting one's choice; volition: My hands are obedient to my will.
wish or desire: We submit, but it's against our will.
purpose or determination that is often hearty or stubborn; willfulness: The first step is to have the will to succeed.
the wish or purpose as carried out, or to be carried out: The queen will work her will.
disposition, whether good or ill, toward another.
Law.
a legal declaration of a person's wishes as to the disposition of their property or estate after death, usually written and signed by the testator and attested by witnesses.
the document containing a declaration of a person's wishes as to the disposition of their property.
to decide, bring about, or attempt to effect or bring about by an act of the will: He can make it in this industry if he wills it.
to purpose, determine on, or elect, by an act of the mind or consciousness: If he wills success, he can find it.
to give or dispose of (property) by a legal declaration or testament; bequeath or devise.
to influence by exerting control over someone's impulses and actions: She was willed to walk the tightrope by the hypnotist.
to exercise the mind or conciousness: To will is not enough, one must do.
to decide or determine: Others debate, but the king wills.
Origin of will
2synonym study For will
Other words for will
Other words from will
- willer, noun
Other definitions for Will (3 of 3)
a male given name, form of William.
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use will in a sentence
This episode was reported by Jennifer Strong and will Douglas Heaven and produced by Anthony Green, Emma Cillekens and Karen Hao.
Podcast: How games teach AI to learn for itself | Anthony Green | September 29, 2021 | MIT Technology ReviewElliott’s office has previously avoided weighing in but has acknowledged will’s argument was on its radar.
There’s Yet Another Wrench in the Effort to Declare Measure C Passed | Lisa Halverstadt | April 29, 2021 | Voice of San DiegoHis memoir, titled “will,” is a grandiose and gripping self-mythology of surmounting fear through recklessness.
Little Liddys everywhere: The legacy of a political ‘super-klutz’ | Dan Zak | March 31, 2021 | Washington PostI collected Ali and Mac and drove our happy trio to a porch concert by will Dickerson, Ana de Ferreira and will’s dad.
Was a three-week trip to New Orleans for work or vacation? Both. | Andrea Sachs | February 19, 2021 | Washington Post“There really isn’t one thing” that caused all those different insect shapes to evolve, says will.
Explainer: Insects, arachnids and other arthropods | Curtis Segarra | January 19, 2021 | Science News For Students
And more I cannot explain/but you, from what I did not say/will infer what I do not say.
Sor Juana: Mexico’s Most Erotic Poet and Its Most Dangerous Nun | Katie Baker | November 8, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTBehind that coming-of-age innocence and strong-will of Swift is an intense artistic decision.
Taylor Swift Dumps Spotify, Igniting Turf War Between Spotify and Apple | Dale Eisinger | November 4, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTKerry tweeted August 20 that “ISIL must be destroyed/will be crushed.”
After Steven Sotloff Murder, Congress Demands a Vote on Obama’s ISIS War | Josh Rogin | September 2, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTOh does she deserve this nomination, and maybe even this award with her stellar aftermath-of-will grief work.
What's TV's Best Drama? 'True Detective,' 'Game of Thrones,' and Our Emmy Predictions | Kevin Fallon | August 22, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTWhen I get older losing my hair/Many years from now/will you still be sending me a valentine/Birthday greetings, bottle of wine?
Bruce Springsteen’s Bond Moment: The Boss’ Body Beautiful at 64 | Tim Teeman | July 25, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTAnd with some expressions of mutual good-will and interest, master and man separated.
The Posthumous Papers of the Pickwick Club, v. 2(of 2) | Charles DickensSleek finds it far harder work than fortune-making; but he pursues his will-o'-the-Wisp with untiring energy.
The Pit Town Coronet, Volume I (of 3) | Charles James WillsFor this use of the voice in the special service of will-power, or propelling force, it is necessary first to test its freedom.
Expressive Voice Culture | Jessie Eldridge SouthwickThe Marshals were inclined to attribute their disgrace to the ill-will of Berthier and not to the temper of Napoleon.
Napoleon's Marshals | R. P. Dunn-PattisonGilbert was one of those petted individuals who carry the good-will of others by storm.
The World Before Them | Susanna Moodie
British Dictionary definitions for will (1 of 2)
/ (wɪl) /
(esp with you, he, she, it, they, or a noun as subject) used as an auxiliary to make the future tense: Compare shall (def. 1)
used as an auxiliary to express resolution on the part of the speaker: I will buy that radio if it's the last thing I do
used as an auxiliary to indicate willingness or desire: will you help me with this problem?
used as an auxiliary to express compulsion, as in commands: you will report your findings to me tomorrow
used as an auxiliary to express capacity or ability: this rope will support a load
used as an auxiliary to express probability or expectation on the part of the speaker: that will be Jim telephoning
used as an auxiliary to express customary practice or inevitability: boys will be boys
(with the infinitive always implied) used as an auxiliary to express desire: usually in polite requests: stay if you will
what you will whatever you like
will do informal a declaration of willingness to do what is requested
Origin of will
1will
British Dictionary definitions for will (2 of 2)
/ (wɪl) /
the faculty of conscious and deliberate choice of action; volition: Related adjectives: voluntary, volitive
the act or an instance of asserting a choice
the declaration of a person's wishes regarding the disposal of his or her property after death: Related adjective: testamentary
a revocable instrument by which such wishes are expressed
anything decided upon or chosen, esp by a person in authority; desire; wish
determined intention: where there's a will there's a way
disposition or attitude towards others: he bears you no ill will
at will at one's own desire, inclination, or choice
with a will heartily; energetically
with the best will in the world even with the best of intentions
(also intr) to exercise the faculty of volition in an attempt to accomplish (something): he willed his wife's recovery from her illness
to give (property) by will to a person, society, etc: he willed his art collection to the nation
(also intr) to order or decree: the king wills that you shall die
to choose or prefer: wander where you will
to yearn for or desire: to will that one's friends be happy
Origin of will
2Derived forms of will
- willer, noun
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
Other Idioms and Phrases with will
In addition to the idiom beginning with will
- will not hear of
also see:
- against one's will
- at will
- boys will be boys
- heads (will) roll
- murder will out
- of one's own accord (free will)
- shit will hit the fan
- that will do
- time will tell
- truth will out
- when the cat's away, mice will play
- where there's a will
- with a will
- with the best will in the world
- wonders will never cease
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
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