Transcription
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- US Pronunciation
- US IPA
- UK Pronunciation
- UK IPA
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- [wil-ee-nil-ee]
- /ˈwɪl iˈnɪl i/
- /ˌwɪl.iˈnɪl.i/
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- US Pronunciation
- US IPA
-
- [wil-ee-nil-ee]
- /ˈwɪl iˈnɪl i/
Definitions of willy-nilly word
- adverb willy-nilly in a disorganized or unplanned manner; sloppily. 1
- adverb willy-nilly whether one wishes to or not; willingly or unwillingly: He'll have to do it willy-nilly. 1
- adjective willy-nilly shilly-shallying; vacillating. 1
- adjective willy-nilly disorganized, unplanned; sloppy: willy-nilly work. 1
- adverb willy-nilly haphazardly, carelessly 1
- adverb willy-nilly If something happens to you willy-nilly, it happens whether you like it or not. 0
Information block about the term
Origin of willy-nilly
First appearance:
before 1600 One of the 39% oldest English words
1600-10; from the phrase will ye, nill ye. See will1, nill
Historical Comparancy
Parts of speech for Willy-nilly
noun
adjective
verb
adverb
pronoun
preposition
conjunction
determiner
exclamation
willy-nilly popularity
A pretty common term. Usually people know it’s meaning, but prefer to use a more spread out synonym. About 40% of English native speakers know the meaning and use word.
According to our data about 69% of words is more used. This is a rare but used term. It occurs in the pages of specialized literature and in the speech of educated people.
Synonyms for willy-nilly
adv willy-nilly
- abandonedly — in an unrestrained manner
- anyhow — Anyhow means the same as anyway.
- as a matter of course — If you do something as a matter of course, you do it as part of your normal work or way of life.
- at any rate — You use at any rate to indicate that what you have just said might be incorrect or unclear in some way, and that you are now being more precise.
- at random — If you choose people or things at random, you do not use any particular method, so they all have an equal chance of being chosen.
adj willy-nilly
- all over the map — changeable
- haphazard — characterized by lack of order or planning, by irregularity, or by randomness; determined by or dependent on chance; aimless.
adverb willy-nilly
- defenselessly — In a defenseless manner.
- disconnectedly — In a disconnected manner.
- jerkily — characterized by jerks or sudden starts; spasmodic.
adjective willy-nilly
- designless — without a design, unplanned
- haphazardly — in a haphazard manner; at random.
See also
Matching words
- Words starting with w
- Words starting with wi
- Words starting with wil
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- Words starting with willy
- Words starting with willyn
- Words starting with willyni
- Words starting with willynil
- Words starting with willynill
- Words starting with willynilly