Search results for 'will':

will¹ auxiliary verb expressing or indicating: 1 the future tense of other verbs, especially when the subject is you, he, she, it or they • They will no doubt succeed. 2 intention or determination, when the subject is I or we • We will not give in. 3 a request • Will you please shut the door? 4 a command • You will apologize to your mother immediately! 5 ability or possibility • The table will seat ten. 6 readiness or willingness • Any of our branches will exchange the goods. 7 invitations • Will you have a coffee? 8 what is bound to be the case • The experienced teacher will know when a child is unhappy. 9 what applies in certain circumstances • An unemployed youth living at home will not receive housing benefit. 10 an assumption or probability • That will be Paul at the door. 11 obstinate resistance to advice • She will leave her clothes on the floor. 12 choice or desire • Make what you will of that. See also shall, won't, would.
ETYMOLOGY: Anglo-Saxon wyllan.

will² noun 1 the power of conscious decision and deliberate choice of action • free will • exercise one's will. 2 one's own preferences, or one's determination in effecting them • a clash of wills • against my will. 3 desire or determination • the will to live. 4 a wish or desire. 5 a instructions for the disposal of a person's property, etc after death; b the document containing these. 6 in compounds one's feeling towards someone else • felt no ill-will towards her. verb (willed, willing) 1 to try to compel someone by, or as if by, exerting one's will • willed herself to keep going. 2 formal to desire or require that something be done, etc • Her Majesty wills it. 3 to bequeath something in one's will. at will as and when one wishes. with a will eagerly; enthusiastically. with the best will in the world with negatives no matter how willing one is or how hard one tries.
ETYMOLOGY: Anglo-Saxon willa.