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

Now he is on his way out, Magyar could show willingness by greenlighting the opening of so-called negotiating "clusters" that EU officials insist Kyiv has long been ready for.

From Barron's • Apr. 13, 2026

Bern's second try came after a neat offload from Claudia Moloney-MacDonald, which rewarded the hosts' willingness to play an open and expansive brand of rugby.

From BBC • Apr. 11, 2026

But he signaled Amazon’s willingness to endure these near-term headwinds for the long-term payoff.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 9, 2026

The main problem with “A League of His Own” is Mr. Stein’s willingness to take at face value Spalding’s claims in his 1911 book, “America’s National Game,” which systematically inflates Spalding’s role in events.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 9, 2026

As several of those leading the way in renewable energy have reminded us, this willingness to take risks and to commit ourselves to change are, in themselves, renewable resources.

From "1919 The Year That Changed America" by Martin W. Sandler

Related Words

• eagerness
• enthusiasm