willingly
gb/wˈɪlɪŋli/ us/wˈɪlɪŋli/
B1
English
~ 4000
Senses
0 senses
adverb
B1
property
1
Voluntarily and with pleasure
When you do something because you want to, not because you have to.
Usage pattern:
to do [something] willingly
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'willingly' with 'willfully', which often means 'deliberately' and can have a negative connotation.
Synonyms
voluntarily (Focuses on the absence of pressure or obligation rather than on pleasure in doing it.)
|
readily (Suggests being quick and eager to agree or act.)
Antonyms
reluctantly (Means doing something unwillingly or with hesitation.)
|
unwillingly (Direct opposite; doing something against your will.)
Collocations
agree willingly
|help willingly
|participate willingly
|give willingly
|accept willingly
Themes
emotions
|daily life
|relationships
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- She willingly agreed to help with the project.
- He willingly shared his notes with the rest of the class.
- The community willingly donated to the relief fund.
- I willingly accepted the invitation to the dinner party.
- They willingly took on the extra work to meet the deadline.
Learner examples
- I willingly help my friends.
- She willingly gives her time to help others.
- They willingly join the game.
- He willingly answers the teacher's questions.
- We willingly share our food.
Grammar
Dictionary form
willingly
IPA
GB/wˈɪlɪŋli/
US/wˈɪlɪŋli/
Syllables & stress
will - ingly (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (will)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: willingly
- Plural: willinglies
Word family
Forms
willinglies
noun
Core family
willing
adjective A2
willingness
noun B2
Related words
will
noun A2
willpower
noun
Negative and opposite forms
Advanced or less common
willful
adjective
willfully
adverb
Expressions
agree willingly
1/əɡɹˈi wˈɪlɪŋli/
fixed phrase
Consent happily and voluntarily
To say yes because you want to, not because you have to.
Examples
- He agreed willingly to join the team.
- She agreed willingly to take care of the dog.
do something willingly
1/dˈu sˈʌmθɪŋ wˈɪlɪŋli/
fixed phrase
Perform an act happily and voluntarily
To do an action because you want to, not because someone makes you.
Examples
- She did the chores willingly, without being asked twice.
- They signed the agreement willingly after reading it carefully.
help willingly
1/hˈɛlp wˈɪlɪŋli/
fixed phrase
Assist happily and voluntarily
To help someone because you want to, not because you must.
Examples
- The volunteers helped willingly during the festival.
- He helped willingly when his friend was in trouble.