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.

His injury complicated Cleveland’s issues at wide receiver as Rashard Higgins and Derrick Willies were also out with injuries.

From Washington Times • Oct. 14, 2018

His injury complicated Cleveland’s issues at wide receiver as Rashard Higgins and Derrick Willies were also out with injuries.

From Seattle Times • Oct. 14, 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

He completed a key third-down pass for 39 yards to Derrick Willies on Cleveland’s winning drive.

From The Guardian • Oct. 7, 2018

The others brought the "Willies" in by the evening.

From Life in a Tank by Haigh, Richard

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