Willing

Pronunciation

• Rhymes: -ɪlɪŋ

Origin

• (adjective) Old English willende, present participle of *willan
• (noun) Old English willung, from willian

Full definition of willing

Adjective

1. Ready to do something that is not (can't be expected as) a matter of course.
   If my boyfriend isn't willing to change his drinking habits, I will split up with him.
• 1898, Winston Churchill, The Celebrity Chapter 5, In the eyes of Mr. Farquhar Fenelon Cooke the apotheosis of the Celebrity was complete. The people of Asquith were not only willing to attend the house-warming, but had been worked up to the pitch of eagerness. The Celebrity as a matter of course was master of ceremonies.
• 2013-06-07, David Simpson, Fantasy of navigation, Like most human activities, ballooning has sponsored heroes and hucksters and a good deal in between. For every dedicated scientist patiently recording atmospheric pressure and wind speed while shivering at high altitudes, there is a carnival barker with a bevy of pretty girls willing to dangle from a basket or parachute down to earth.

Synonyms

• agreeable, agreeing, consenting, voluntary

Derived terms

• willing horse

Noun

1. (rare or obsolete) The execution of a will.

Verb

1. Present participle of will