willingness

[wil-ing-nis]

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.

Other Word Forms

• overwillingness noun
• prewillingness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of willingness¹

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

Example Sentences

It had also shown some willingness to turn over heavier weapons such as rocket launchers to Arab monitors and for some of its leaders to leave Gaza, Arab mediators have said.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Maybe it’s less about precision and more about presence — the willingness to let instinct and delight guide your hand.

Read more on Salon

Subsequent moralizing about nuclear weapons, often by the scientists developing them, pales before Roosevelt’s willingness to act on his gut instinct.

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It has also displayed Russia’s willingness to use purported hypersonic cruise missiles, which the West currently doesn’t have adequate defenses for.

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“The only thing that is clear after the past few days is that Katie Porter’s willingness to take on powerful interests has the status quo very afraid and very motivated,” Gonzalez said in a statement.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• eagerness 
• enthusiasm