Word
willing
Phoneticswill·ing, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈwɪɫɪŋ/
UK/wˈɪlɪŋ/
Definitions
01ready to do something
A2 · Elementary
adj. ready or happy to do something, especially if it requires some effort.
adj. disposed or inclined to do something; prepared to act without reluctance.
“If you are willing to work hard, you can learn a new language quickly.”
“The company is looking for a candidate who is willing to travel internationally at short notice to meet with prospective clients.”
Pitfall
He is willing for help us.
He is willing to help us.
The adjective 'willing' is followed by a to-infinitive, not a prepositional phrase with 'for'.
02using mental power
C1 · Advanced Literary
v. trying to make something happen just by thinking about it very hard.
v. the present participle of the lexical verb 'will', meaning to desire or ordain something to happen through mental effort or intention.
“She sat by the phone, willing it to ring so she could hear the news.”
“He stood at the edge of the track, almost willing his teammate to find the extra burst of speed necessary to clinch the gold medal.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “willing” in context.
Adjective
01. perfectly willing
“I am perfectly willing to help you with your homework if you are stuck.”
adv + adj
02. willing participant
“She was a willing participant in the study and answered all the questions honestly.”
adj + noun
03. willing to compromise
“Both sides were willing to compromise to reach a fair agreement.”
adj + infinitive
Adverb
04. entirely willing
“He was entirely willing to take on the extra responsibility for a higher salary.”
adv + adj
05. more than willing
“The staff were more than willing to accommodate our special dietary requests.”
adv + adj
Real-World Examples
“Wounaan realized that loggers were willing to kill to get the rosewood.” “City are close to signing the 18-year-old Morocco international Ayyoub Bouaddi from Lille but are willing to bring in others.” Word family
ADJECTIVE
ADVERB
Idioms
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Common
- Level
- B2 · Upper IntermediateOxford
- Updated
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