willies
0 synonyms and 0 antonyms 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').
We haven't recorded synonyms for willies yet. You can still read its full definition, where it comes from, or words that rhyme with it.
How to use willies
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
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.