willy
4 synonyms for willy, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A childish or informal British word for the penis.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Etymology
From Middle English willy, willi, equivalent to will + -y. Cognate with Dutch willig (“obedient, hearsome”), German willig (“willing”), Swedish villig (“willing, agreeable”).
Full origin of willy →Frequently asked questions
What does it mean to call someone a willy in British slang?
Calling someone a willy in British slang is a mild insult meaning they're being foolish or silly. It's a lighthearted rather than harsh put-down.
Is willy used the same way in American English?
Willy is chiefly British slang; American English doesn't commonly use it in either the childish anatomical sense or the mild insult sense for a foolish person.
