WILLFUL

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does willful mean? 

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

1. done by design

2. habitually disposed to disobedience and opposition

  Familiarity information: WILLFUL used as an adjective is rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• WILLFUL (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:

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

 Context examples 

You are a willful child, and you've lost more than you know by this piece of folly.

(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)

As I read the evidence at the inquest, which led up to a verdict of willful murder against some person or persons unknown, I realized more clearly than I had ever done the loss which the community had sustained by the death of Sherlock Holmes.

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

"That's the fun of it," began Laurie, who had got a willful fit on him and was possessed to break out of bounds in some way.

(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)