8 definitions found for wilful

wilful adj 1: done by design; "the insult was intentional"; "willful disobedience" [syn: willful, wilful] 2: habitually disposed to disobedience and opposition [syn: froward, headstrong, self-willed, willful, wilful]

wilful adjective see willful

wilful
adj. (US willful)
1 (of an action or state) intentional, deliberate (wilful murder; wilful neglect; wilful disobedience).
2 (of a person) obstinate, headstrong.
Derivatives:
wilfully adv. wilfulness n.
Etymology: ME f. WILL(2) + -FUL

wilful Note: in AM, use 'willful' 1. If you describe actions or attitudes as wilful, you are critical of them because they are done or expressed deliberately, especially with the intention of causing someone harm. Wilful neglect of our manufacturing industry has caused this problem... ADJ: ADJ n [disapproval] 2. If you describe someone as wilful, you mean that they are determined to do what they want to do, even if it is not sensible. ...as the beautiful Lara becomes ever more wilful and irresponsible. = headstrong ADJ

wilful ˈwɪlful adj. (US willful) 1 (of an action or state) intentional, deliberate (wilful murder; wilful neglect; wilful disobedience). 2 (of a person) obstinate, headstrong. øøwilfully adv. wilfulness n. [ME f. WILL(2) + -FUL]

Wilful Wil"ful, a., Wilfully Wil"ful*ly, adv., Wilfulness Wil"ful*ness, n. See Willful, Willfully, and Willfulness.

wilful a. [Written also Willful.] 1. Obstinate, stubborn, perverse, contumacious, refractory, headstrong, unruly, intractable, mulish, dogged, inflexible, heady, self-willed, pig-headed, obdurate, cantankerous. 2. Self-willed, arbitrary, capricious.

wilful ˈwɪlful adj. 1 intentional, deliberate, voluntary, conscious, intended, purposeful, premeditated, US willful: The jury decided that such a wilful act of vandalism must be punished. She is accused of wilful neglect of her children. 2 stubborn, headstrong, pigheaded, obstinate, mulish, inflexible, adamant, obdurate, intransigent, unyielding, self-willed, ungovernable, recalcitrant, unruly, immovable, intractable, dogged, determined, refractory, uncompromising, wayward, perverse, contrary: Jim is far too wilful, and tends to have a tantrum if he fails to get his own way.