willingness

American  

[wil-ing-nis] / ˈwɪl ɪŋ nɪs /

noun

1. consent or readiness to do something.

   The majority of the neighborhood’s older residents were employed, and younger people showed a willingness to work but often could not find jobs.

2. an inclination or preference: The country has shown no sign of willingness to make concessions.

   We admire her willingness to stand up for what she believes.

   The country has shown no sign of willingness to make concessions.

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Other Word Forms

• overwillingness
  noun
• prewillingness
  noun

Etymology

Origin of willingness

willing ( def. ) + -ness ( def. )

Explanation

If someone's willing, he has the quality of willingness, which can vary from meaning "prepared," to "enthusiastic," like your little brother's eager willingness to help walk the dog. If your troop of Girl Scouts has a willingness to try anything, it means they stay cheerful and ready, even if they're hiking through a prickly field of thistles. When something is done with willingness, there is no sense of resentment or hesitation. The word's origin lies in the Old English wyllan, "to wish, desire, or want."

Example Sentences

He said he admired Massie's independence and willingness to "stand up for what he believes in".

From BBC • May 18, 2026

“There’s a lot more happening in the background that is targeting and squeezing each consumer’s willingness to pay.”

From Salon • May 18, 2026

Companies raise or lower prices for a number of reasons — depending on the level of competition, the willingness of customers to pay, their own costs and their profit margins.

From MarketWatch • May 13, 2026

A wary Tinseltown reluctantly coalesced around the Netflix bid, seeing it as the lesser of two evils, but Paramount's willingness to stump up ever greater sums eventually saw the streamer withdraw.

From Barron's • May 13, 2026

James was blessed with intelligence, good looks, and the willingness to work hard.

From "Ambushed!" by Gail Jarrow

Related Words

• eagerness
• enthusiasm