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. )

Example Sentences

Lyon's intervention – England lost three wickets for 17 runs in six overs – came after the tourists finally showed a willingness to adapt their Bazballing ways.

From BBC

Rates are again expected to be left unchanged in December, though officials have signaled a willingness to cut policy rates or reserve requirement ratios if conditions warrant.

From The Wall Street Journal

The decline was driven as the survey’s measure for consumers’ willingness to save climbed to its highest level since the financial crisis.

From The Wall Street Journal

In a letter to investors in March, BlackRock’s Fink wrote: “Prosperity is once again defined by our ability—and our willingness—to produce and consume more energy.”

From The Wall Street Journal

“But for a lot of people, it symbolically shows a willingness to work with companies that have not been able to resolve or reconcile the problems.”

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• eagerness
• enthusiasm