ENGLISH
REFERENCE

wills

n. countable
B2 Upper Intermediate US //ˈwɪɫz// UK //wˈɪlz// wills

n. legal documents that say who should get your money and property after you die. They help make sure your final wishes are followed.

n. legal instruments by which persons direct the disposition of their estate after death. Plural form of the legal document; often used in the context of estate planning.


SIMPLE

The lawyer keeps the family's wills in a safe.

CONTEXTUAL

After the funeral, the attorney met with the relatives to read the various wills and distribute the inheritance.

COMPLEX

Legal experts recommend that individuals update their wills after significant life events, such as marriage or the birth of a child, to ensure their assets are distributed according to their current intentions.

Synonyms
Antonyms
Etymology 1

From Will + -s (patronymic suffix).

Etymology 2

From the clipping of William + -s (hypocoristic suffix).

Usage

Commonly used in the plural when discussing the documents of multiple people or different versions of a document over time.

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