# willingness

/ˈwɪɫɪŋnəs/ (US) · /wˈɪlɪŋnəs/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Noun

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

## Definition

the quality of being happy or ready to do something. It shows you are not forced and are doing it because you want to help or participate.

For teachers: the state or quality of being prepared or ready to act; a disposition to comply with a request or requirement without reluctance.

## Examples

- She showed a great willingness to learn new skills.
- The success of the project depends on the team's willingness to work overtime during the final week.
- A genuine willingness to compromise is often the only bridge between two parties whose ideological differences appear, on the surface, to be entirely irreconcilable.

## Pitfalls

- Not "his willingness for helping" but "his willingness to help" — Willingness is followed by a 'to' infinitive, not the preposition 'for' with a gerund.

## Usage notes

- Commonly followed by a 'to' infinitive ('willingness to help') or the preposition 'of'.

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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.