ENGLISH
REFERENCE

unwilling

adj.
B2 Upper Intermediate US //ənˈwɪɫɪŋ// UK //ʌnwˈɪlɪŋ// un·will·ing

adj. not wanting to do something. You use this when you have to do a task but you really do not want to.

adj. not ready, eager, or prepared to do something; hesitant or resistant. Often used to describe a person who performs an action only because they are forced or pressured.


SIMPLE

He was unwilling to help with the heavy lifting.

CONTEXTUAL

The witness was unwilling to testify in court until the police promised to protect his identity.

COMPLEX

Despite the generous severance package, many senior staff members remained unwilling to relocate to the new headquarters, citing deep-rooted ties to the local community.

Antonyms
Origin

From un- + willing.

Usage

Commonly followed by a 'to' + infinitive construction.

Pitfall

he is unwilling of goinghe is unwilling to goUnwilling is followed by a 'to-infinitive', not the preposition 'of' with a gerund.

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