William

[ wil-yuhm ]

/ ˈwɪl yəm /

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noun

a word formerly used in communications to represent the letter W.

a male given name: from Germanic words meaning “will” and “helmet.”

QUIZ

SHALL WE PLAY A "SHALL" VS. "SHOULD" CHALLENGE?

Should you take this quiz on “shall” versus “should”? It should prove to be a quick challenge!

Question 1 of 6

Which form is used to state an obligation or duty someone has?

shall

should

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Words nearby William

Willemstad, Willendorf, Willesden, willet, willful, William, William and Mary, William I, William II, William III, William IV

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

How to use William in a sentence

Thomas heard back from William’s girlfriend and Johnson’s aunt.
A dark parking lot in Maryland, an off-duty officer and the night one man saw his friends die|Dan Morse|April 16, 2021|Washington Post
Despite giving her the impression that an engagement could, at the soonest, happen at the end of 2021, William secretly had other plans.
Couple Behind Viral Proposal Share Their Love Story — And What Became Of Those Four Other Engagement Rings|Victoria Uwumarogie|April 16, 2021|Essence.com
Clearview replied to this email, “Hi William, you should have a setup email in your inbox shortly.”
The NYPD used a controversial facial recognition tool. Here’s what you need to know.|Tate Ryan-Mosley|April 9, 2021|MIT Technology Review
Widely known as “America’s first female cryptanalyst,” in World War I, Elizebeth and William directed an unofficial code-breaking team employed by the national government.
How America's ‘First Female Cryptanalyst’ Cracked the Code of Nazi Spies in World War II—and Never Lived to See the Credit|Suyin Haynes|January 11, 2021|Time

She drove up to the hunting lodge, wrote a check for $5,000, handed it to the family without getting out of her car and drove away, William said.
The 10th president’s last surviving grandson: A bridge to the nation’s complicated past|Gillian Brockell|November 29, 2020|Washington Post
A peacemaker is also exactly how Police Commissioner William Bratton sees himself.
Cop Families Boo De Blasio at NYPD Graduation|Michael Daly|December 30, 2014|DAILY BEAST
She had to break the news to William that The Sun had the story.
Pulled Documentary Says William Felt ‘Used’ by Charles’ Push for Camilla|Tom Sykes|December 30, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Vice President Joe Biden spoke, followed by Gov. Andrew Cuomo, then Mayor Bill de Blasio and Police Commissioner William Bratton.
Choking Back Tears, Thousands of Cops Honor Fallen Officer Ramos|Michael Daly|December 28, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Both Mayor De Blasio and Police Commissioner William Bratton rushed to the hospital.
Two Cops ‘Assassinated’ in Brooklyn|Michael Daly|December 21, 2014|DAILY BEAST
And then there is William Morales of the Puerto Rican independence group the FALN.
Cuba Protects America’s Most Wanted|Michael Daly|December 18, 2014|DAILY BEAST
William Woodville died; a distinguished English physician and medical writer.
The Every Day Book of History and Chronology|Joel Munsell
William has thus been happily able to report to the society the approaching conversion of M'Bongo and his imminent civilization.
The Pit Town Coronet, Volume I (of 3)|Charles James Wills
William Hewson died; an eminent English anatomist, and medical author.
The Every Day Book of History and Chronology|Joel Munsell
William Penn, published in England his frame of government for the colony of Pennsylvania.
The Every Day Book of History and Chronology|Joel Munsell
We now proceed to learn the eighteen kings intermediate between William II.
Assimilative Memory|Marcus Dwight Larrowe (AKA Prof. A. Loisette)

British Dictionary definitions for William

William

/ (ˈwɪljəm) /

noun

known as William the Lion. ?1143–1214, king of Scotland (1165–1214)

Prince. born 1982, Duke of Cambridge, first son of Prince Charles and Diana, Princess of Wales. In 2011 he married Kate Middleton (born 1982); their son, Prince George, was born in 2013

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