English Explanatory Dictionary

willy-nilly

English dictionary entry

Meanings

adv
  1. Whether desired or not; without regard for consequences or wishes of those affected; whether willingly or unwillingly.
  2. Seemingly at random; haphazardly.
adj
  1. That happens whether willingly or unwillingly.
  2. Seemingly random; haphazard; arbitrary.

Pronunciation

wĭl′ē-nĭl′ē /ˌwɪl.iːˈnɪl.iː/ /ˌwɪl.iˈnɪl.i/ En-us-willy-nilly.oga /ˌwəl.iːˈnəl.iː/ /ˌwil.iːˈnil.iː/

Word forms

willy-nilly more willy-nilly most willy-nilly willy nilly

Etymology

From will I, nill I (“if I want, if I don't want”); also as will he, nill he and will ye, nill ye. See will (“to desire, to wish, to be willing”), nill (“to not desire, to not wish, to be unwilling”). Compare Latin velim nōlim (“if I desire it or not”, “willy nilly”). Compare English harum-scarum of the same meaning.

Synonyms

nilly-willy nolens volens
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