willies
1 synonym for willies, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A strong feeling of nervousness, unease, or fear (always used with 'the').
How to use willies
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
gives me the willies
get the willies
Informal; common in speech, less so in formal writing.
Etymology
First recorded in the 1890s; possibly linked to "the woollies" (an old dialect term for the itchy, uneasy feeling of wearing wool), though some trace it to the Wilis — ghostly spirits in the ballet Giselle.
Full origin of willies →Frequently asked questions
What does “willies” mean?
The word “willies” means a strong feeling of nervousness, unease, or fear (always used with 'the'). In plain terms, a jumpy, uneasy, spooked feeling — informal and always plural, always with 'the'.
How do you use “willies” in a sentence?
Here is “willies” used in a sentence: “That abandoned house gives me the willies.”
What part of speech is “willies”?
“Willies” is a noun.
Where does the word “willies” come from?
The word “willies” dates back to around 1890. First recorded in the 1890s; possibly linked to "the woollies" (an old dialect term for the itchy, uneasy feeling of wearing wool), though some trace it to the Wilis — ghostly spirits in the ballet Giselle.
