WILFUL

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 Dictionary entry overview: What does wilful mean? 

• WILFUL (adjective)
  The adjective WILFUL has 2 senses:

1. done by design

2. habitually disposed to disobedience and opposition

  Familiarity information: WILFUL used as an adjective is rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• WILFUL (adjective)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Done by design

Synonyms:

wilful; willful

Context example:

willful disobedience

Similar:

voluntary (of your own free will or design; done by choice; not forced or compelled)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Habitually disposed to disobedience and opposition

Synonyms:

froward; headstrong; self-willed; wilful; willful

Similar:

disobedient (not obeying or complying with commands of those in authority)

Derivation:

wilfulness (the trait of being prone to disobedience and lack of discipline)

 Context examples 

Perhaps she had followed the current of my mind; for it seemed to me an easy one to track now, wilful as it had been once.

(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)

I arrest you for the wilful murder of Mr. Jonas Oldacre, of Lower Norwood.

(The Return of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

None dared arrest him until there should be due inquiry, but when the coroner’s court brought wilful murder against him, the constables came for him in full cry.

(Rodney Stone, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

Isabella could not be aware of the pain she was inflicting; but it was a degree of wilful thoughtlessness which Catherine could not but resent.

(Northanger Abbey, by Jane Austen)

“You are much mistaken if you expect to influence me by such a paltry attack as this. I see nothing in it but your own wilful ignorance and the malice of Mr. Darcy.”

(Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Austen)

His wilful hands and feet began to beat and churn about, spasmodically and feebly.

(Martin Eden, by Jack London)

If he were quite sincere, if he really tried to come, it was to be inferred that Mrs. Churchill's removal to London had been of no service to the wilful or nervous part of her disorder.

(Emma, by Jane Austen)

His excellency observed my countenance to clear up; he told me, with a sigh, that there his estate began, and would continue the same, till we should come to his house: that his countrymen ridiculed and despised him, for managing his affairs no better, and for setting so ill an example to the kingdom; which, however, was followed by very few, such as were old, and wilful, and weak like himself.

(Gulliver's Travels into several remote nations of the world, by Jonathan Swift)

But you have now shewn me that you can be wilful and perverse; that you can and will decide for yourself, without any consideration or deference for those who have surely some right to guide you, without even asking their advice.

(Mansfield Park, by Jane Austen)

Under these circumstances the young man was instantly arrested, and a verdict of ‘wilful murder’ having been returned at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next Assizes.

(The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)