Wilful Meaning
/ˈwɪlfʊl/Definition, CEFR level C2, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
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Definition
adjIntentional; deliberate.
adjStubborn and determined.
Sentence Examples
It's wilful ignorance, if you ask me.
His wilful ignorance was more than she could stand.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms:
Antonyms:
CEFR Practice Quiz
The ____ child refused to eat his vegetables no matter what his mother said.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The manager criticized the ____ disregard for the company rules, stating that several disciplinary actions would be taken today.
Word Origin & History
From Middle English wilful; equivalent to will + -ful.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"Knowingly or unknowingly, every therapist assumes that each client possesses the capacity to change through willful choice."
— 2005, Irvin D. Yalom with Molyn Leszcz, The Theory and Practice of Group Psychotherapy, page 182:
"Mary had taken the whim into her willful head, and Jane could not dissuade her."
— 1893, Edwin Caskoden, When Knighthood Was in Flower, page 110:
"Let you not be taking it bad, Conchubor, but you’ll get little good seeing her this night, for with all my talking it’s wilfuler she’s growing these two months or three."
— 1909, John M[illington] Synge, “Act I”, in Deirdre of the Sorrows: A Play, Churchtown: Cuala Press, published 1910, page 5:
"He was a youth to the end of his days, the heart of a boy with the head of a sage; the heart of a good boy, or a bad boy, but always a wilful boy, and wilfulest to show himself out at every time for just the boy he was."
— 1910, W[illiam] D[ean] Howells, chapter I, in My Mark Twain: Reminiscences and Criticisms, New York, N.Y.; London: Harper & Brothers Publishers, part first (Memories), page 5:
""He's as willful as you," Rizpah said. "If you let him hurt himself again, so help me, I'll — ""
— 1995, Francine Rivers, As Sure as the Dawn, page 232:
Explore More C2 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
The ____ child refused to eat his vegetables no matter what his mother said.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The manager criticized the ____ disregard for the company rules, stating that several disciplinary actions would be taken today.