willing
WIH-lihng
Willing (adj) means Ready and happy to do something, without needing to be persuaded. Example: “She's always willing to help out at short notice.”
adj
1
Ready and happy to do something, without needing to be persuaded.
"She's always willing to help out at short notice."
"Are you willing to relocate for the job?"
"The neighbours were willing to lend us their ladder for the weekend."
How to use willing
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishHappy to do something — the opposite of reluctant or unwilling.
Common mistake
Followed by 'to' + verb ('willing to help'), not '-ing' ('willing helping' is wrong).
Common pairings
willing to help
more than willing
a willing participant
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Word forms
- Comparative
- more willing
- Superlative
- most willing
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
She's always _____ to help out at short notice.
Etymology
From Old English willende, the present participle of willan ("to want").
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for willing
killing
filling
milling
billing
chilling
drilling
spilling
grilling
trilling
Shilling
unwilling
thrilling
See all rhymes for willing →
Frequently asked questions
What does “willing” mean?
The word “willing” means ready and happy to do something, without needing to be persuaded. In plain terms, happy to do something — the opposite of reluctant or unwilling.
How do you pronounce “willing”?
“Willing” is pronounced WIH-lihng (/ˈwɪlɪŋ/ in IPA).
How do you use “willing” in a sentence?
Here is “willing” used in a sentence: “She's always willing to help out at short notice.”
What part of speech is “willing”?
“Willing” is an adjective.
Where does the word “willing” come from?
The word “willing” comes from Old English. From Old English willende, the present participle of willan ("to want").
Is “willing” a common word?
“Willing” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
What is the difference between willing and eager?
Both describe a positive readiness to act, but they differ in intensity. Willing means you are happy to do something if asked, offering no resistance. Eager is stronger — you actively want to do it and can hardly wait. A willing helper agrees readily; an eager one volunteers first.
What is the opposite of willing?
The main opposites are unwilling and reluctant, describing someone who resists or needs persuading. Words like hesitant, disinclined, and averse also contrast with willing, all suggesting a lack of readiness or an active wish to avoid doing the thing being asked.
Is willing a positive word?
Generally yes. Describing someone as willing is a compliment, suggesting they cooperate readily and help without complaint — a good, agreeable attitude. The related phrase 'willing to' simply states readiness, which can be neutral, since its tone then depends on what the person is willing to do.
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