adj
wilful
WIHL-fuul
Wilful (adj) means Done deliberately and on purpose, especially something wrong or harmful. Example: “The judge described the damage as wilful destruction of property.”
adj
1
Done deliberately and on purpose, especially something wrong or harmful.
"The judge described the damage as wilful destruction of property."
2
Stubbornly determined to do things one's own way.
"Their wilful daughter refused to follow any of the rules."
How to use wilful
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishIntentional (often about wrongdoing), or stubbornly set on having one's own way.
UK vs US
"Wilful" is the standard British spelling; American English generally uses "willful."
Common pairings
wilful neglect
wilful child
wilful blindness
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Word forms
- Comparative
- more wilful, wilfuler, wilfuller
- Superlative
- most wilful, wilfulest, wilfullest
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."
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
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.
