# unwilling

/ənˈwɪɫɪŋ/ (US) · /ʌnwˈɪlɪŋ/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Adjective

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/unwilling
Updated: 2026-05-02

## Definition

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

For teachers: 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.

## Examples

- He was unwilling to help with the heavy lifting.
- The witness was unwilling to testify in court until the police promised to protect his identity.
- 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.

## Pitfalls

- Not "he is unwilling of going" but "he is unwilling to go" — Unwilling is followed by a 'to-infinitive', not the preposition 'of' with a gerund.

## Usage notes

- Commonly followed by a 'to' + infinitive construction.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.