The Britannica Dictionary
mobile search
Home
Ask the Editor
Word of the Day
Quizzes
Core Vocabulary
Browse the Dictionary
×
Britannica Homepage
Ask the Editor
Word of the Day
Quizzes
Core Vocabulary
Browse the Dictionary
The Britannica Dictionary
willy–nilly
1 ENTRIES FOUND:
willy–nilly
(adverb)
willy–nilly
/ˌwɪli
ˈ
nɪli/
adverb
willy–nilly
/ˌwɪli
ˈ
nɪli/
adverb
Britannica Dictionary definition of WILLY–NILLY
1
:
in a careless and unplanned way
They decided
willy-nilly
to change the rules.
[+] more examples
[-] hide examples
[+] Example sentences
[-] Hide examples
2
:
in a way that does not allow any choices or planning
We are being forced
willy-nilly
to accept whatever the government decides.
[+] more examples
[-] hide examples
[+] Example sentences
[-] Hide examples
ASK THE EDITOR
What is the difference between "knowledge" and "information"?
See the answer »
QUIZZES
Vocabulary Quiz
Test your word power
Take the Quiz »
Name That Thing
Take our visual quiz
Test Your Knowledge »
WORD OF THE DAY
furious
:
very powerful or violent
Learn More »