noun

willies

Willies (noun) means a strong feeling of nervousness, unease, or fear (always used with 'the'). Example: “That abandoned house gives me the willies.”

noun

A strong feeling of nervousness, unease, or fear (always used with 'the').

"That abandoned house gives me the willies."

"Walking through the empty car park at night gives her the willies."

How to use willies

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA jumpy, uneasy, spooked feeling — informal and always plural, always with 'the'.

When to use it

Informal; common in speech, less so in formal writing.

Common pairings

gives me the willies get the willies

Word forms

the willies plural

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That abandoned house gives me the _____.

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.

· First attested 1890

Class of 1890 willies joined the language around 1890.

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Rhymes for willies

lies dies flies Aries Fries duties series ladies rabies undies Davies movies

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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.