Willingness
/ˈwɪlɪŋnəs/Definition, CEFR level B2, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
Listen pronunciation
Definition
nounThe state of being willing
Sentence Examples
Dick showed a willingness to help us.
Willingness to take responsibility is a sign of maturity.
Success in studying depends on a willingness to learn.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms:
None
Antonyms:
CEFR Practice Quiz
Her ____ to help others made her a valued member of the team.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The team's ____ to work together was a major factor in the overall success of the whole project this year today.
Word Origin & History
Etymology tree English willing Proto-Germanic *-inōną Proto-Indo-European *-dyé- Proto-Germanic *-atjaną Proto-Indo-European *-tus Proto-Germanic *-þuz Proto-Germanic *-assuz Proto-Germanic *-inassuz Proto-West Germanic *-nassī Old English -nes Middle English -nesse English -ness English willingness From willing + -ness.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
""[…]and as Mr. H., with his long purse and his willingness to receive hints, is no bad card in the game, he has been brought up to Abbotsford for a week; his taciturnity has long ago fled, and he is one of the most loquacious Borderers going. […]""
— 1951 February, Michael Robbins, “Sir Walter Scott and Two Early Railway Schemes”, in Railway Magazine, page 90:
"Saturday’s tariffs are unlikely to be Trump’s last. The president said himself said in the Oval Office that additional tariffs could come by mid-February on chips, pharmaceuticals, steel, aluminum, copper, oil and gas imports – along with tariffs on the European Union – all threats that few would discount given his willingness to follow through on the North American and China tariffs on Saturday."
— 2025 February 1, Kevin Liptak, “With stiff tariffs he promised now in place, Trump opens a new trade war”, in CNN, archived from the original on 05 Aug 2025:
Explore More B2 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
Her ____ to help others made her a valued member of the team.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The team's ____ to work together was a major factor in the overall success of the whole project this year today.