Willingness — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

adjective noun /ˈwi-liŋ/ will·ing

Meaning & Definition of Willingness

Willingness (adjective)

  1. inclined or favorably disposed in mind, ready
  2. prompt to act or respond
  3. done, borne, or accepted by choice or without reluctance

Willingness (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. cheerful readiness to do something

    "his unhesitating willingness to take on the tough assignments has earned him the status of the president's right-hand man"

    similar: alacrity, amenability, gameness, goodwill, obligingness
    related: celerity, quickness, rapidity, speed, speediness, swiftness, dispatch, promptitude, promptness, ardor, avidity, eagerness, enthusiasm, exuberance, fervor, gusto, keenness, relish, zeal, zest, agreeableness, geniality, good-naturedness, heartiness, warmth, open-mindedness, receptiveness, receptivity, responsiveness
    near: leisureliness, pokiness, slowness, sluggishness, apathy, disinterestedness, halfheartedness, indifference, lukewarmness, perfunctoriness, delay, dilatoriness, doubt, equivocation, hesitance, hesitancy, hesitation, reluctance, reservation, reticence, uncertainty, vacillation, disinclination, indisposition, recalcitrance, resistance, unwillingness, antipathy, averseness, aversion

Related Entry: Willing (adjective)

Willing is a different word from Willingness. The synonyms below are for willing, not for willingness.

  1. having a desire or inclination (as for a specified course of action)

    "I'm a little confused, but perfectly willing to do as you ask"

    similar: amenable, disposed, fain, game, glad, inclined, minded, ready
    related: predisposed, prone, accommodating, agreeable, compliant, cooperative, obedient, obliging, submissive, favorable, receptive, prepared, prompt, quick, responsive, swift, desirous, eager, enthused, enthusiastic, excited
    opposite: disinclined, unamenable, unwilling
    near: averse, loath, reluctant, reticent

  2. having or showing the ability to respond without delay or hesitation

    "she's always lent a willing hand whenever a neighbor needed help or a friend a favor"

    similar: alacritous, alert, expeditious, prompt, quick, ready
    related: receptive, responsive, immediate, instant, instantaneous, summary, breakneck, breathless, brisk, fast, fleet, fleet-footed, hit-and-run, lightning, rapid, rapid-fire, rattling, snappy, speedy, swift, whirlwind, eager, keen, sharp, apt, clever, quick-witted, ready-witted, sharp-witted, smart
    near: unresponsive, crawling, creeping, dallying, dawdling, dilatory, dillydallying, dragging, laggard, lagging, lazy, lazyish, leisurely, logy, poking, poky, slothful, slow, slowish, sluggish, tardy, unhurried, dormant, idle, inactive, inert

  3. done, made, or given with one's own free will

    "a willing sacrifice of her limited free time for a good cause"

    similar: freewill, self-imposed, uncoerced, unforced, volitional, voluntary, volunteer
    related: discretionary, elective, optional, impulsive, instinctive, spontaneous, unpremeditated, conscious, deliberate, intentional, knowing, willful
    opposite: coerced, compelled, forced, involuntary, nonvoluntary, unwilled, will-less
    near: compulsory, enforced, mandatory, necessary, nonelective, obligatory, ordered, required

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Willingness

The most common words with a similar meaning to Willingness:

alacrity, amenability, gameness, goodwill, obligingness

Related Words for Willingness

celerity, quickness, rapidity, speed, speediness, swiftness, dispatch, promptitude, promptness, ardor, avidity, eagerness, enthusiasm, exuberance, fervor, gusto, keenness, relish, zeal, zest, agreeableness, geniality, good-naturedness, heartiness, warmth, open-mindedness, receptiveness, receptivity, responsiveness

Near Antonyms of Willingness

leisureliness, pokiness, slowness, sluggishness, apathy, disinterestedness, halfheartedness, indifference, lukewarmness, perfunctoriness, delay, dilatoriness, doubt, equivocation, hesitance, hesitancy, hesitation, reluctance, reservation, reticence, uncertainty, vacillation, disinclination, indisposition, recalcitrance, resistance, unwillingness, antipathy, averseness, aversion

Word Forms of Willingness

Derived words: willingly (adverb), willingness (noun)

Origin & Etymology of Willingness

First known use: 14th century

Frequently Asked Questions about Willingness

What does "Willingness" mean?

"Willingness" means inclined or favorably disposed in mind, ready. As an an adjective and a noun, it is defined as: inclined or favorably disposed in mind, ready.

What is another word for "Willingness"?

Other words for "Willingness" include alacrity, amenability, gameness, goodwill and obligingness. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Willingness" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Willingness"?

There are 34 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Willingness". Common alternatives include alacrity, amenability, gameness, goodwill and obligingness.

How do you use "Willingness" in a sentence?

Examples of "Willingness" in a sentence: "his unhesitating willingness to take on the tough assignments has earned him the status of the president's right-hand man".

Is "Willingness" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Willingness" can be used as an adjective and a noun, depending on the context.

How do you pronounce "Willingness"?

"Willingness" is pronounced /ˈwi-liŋ/ and divided into syllables as will·ing.

What is the origin of the word "Willingness"?

First known use: 14th century.

What is another word for "Willingness" meaning "cheerful readiness to do something"?

When "Willingness" (noun) means cheerful readiness to do something, synonyms include alacrity, amenability, gameness, goodwill and obligingness.