wilful
Wilful (adj) means Done deliberately and on purpose, especially something wrong or harmful. Example: “The judge described the damage as wilful destruction of property.”
How to use wilful
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishIntentional (often about wrongdoing), or stubbornly set on having one's own way.
"Wilful" is the standard British spelling; American English generally uses "willful."
Word forms
more wilful comparative, wilfuler comparative, wilfuller comparative, most wilful superlative, wilfulest superlative, wilfullest superlative
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The judge described the damage as _____ destruction of property.
Etymology
From Middle English wilful, formed from "will" plus the "-ful" suffix, meaning "full of one's own will."
Rhymes for wilful
See all rhymes for wilful →Frequently asked questions
What does “wilful” mean?
The word “wilful” means done deliberately and on purpose, especially something wrong or harmful. In plain terms, intentional (often about wrongdoing), or stubbornly set on having one's own way.
How do you pronounce “wilful”?
“Wilful” is pronounced WIHL-fuul (/ˈwɪlfʊl/ in IPA).
How do you use “wilful” in a sentence?
Here is “wilful” used in a sentence: “The judge described the damage as wilful destruction of property.”
What part of speech is “wilful”?
“Wilful” is an adjective.
Where does the word “wilful” come from?
The word “wilful” comes from Middle English. From Middle English wilful, formed from "will" plus the "-ful" suffix, meaning "full of one's own will.".
How many meanings does “wilful” have?
“Wilful” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: done deliberately and on purpose, especially something wrong or harmful.