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

“Never underestimate stock traders’ willingness to step into any breach in tech stocks’ upward momentum,” wrote Steve Sosnick, chief strategist at Interactive Brokers.

From Barron's • Jun. 18, 2026

But he looks the part — Jackman has a commendable willingness to recede inside himself — even though after the rousing opening, the script gives him almost nothing to do.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 18, 2026

England's willingness to press led to a few issues when they defended closer to their own goal.

From BBC • Jun. 18, 2026

That valuation gap reflects persistent concerns over Qualcomm’s dependence on Apple, and a lack of willingness on Wall Street to see it as anything but a smartphone chip company.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 16, 2026

But if Kissinger did not exactly relish the president’s company, he did come to admire Nixon’s intelligence, and his willingness to make bold moves.

From "Most Dangerous: Daniel Ellsberg and the Secret History of the Vietnam War" by Steve Sheinkin

Related Words

• eagerness
• enthusiasm