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to will

to will

45 4.4
To make something happen by wanting and trying very hard
  • verb
  • /wɪl/
translation icon : hacer que
  • I can will it to stop if I want to.
  • God wills
  • one wills

OK, make of that which you will so but.

Examples

  • If you want it, you must will it.

    Happy Feet Two (2011)

  • One day, when God wills it, we'll have justice.

    The Devil's Double (2011)

  • We must will our survival.

    Green Lantern: Emerald Knights (2011)

  • Since the world has no intrinsic meaning, the self must will a path for itself.

    Academic text (1998)

  • I will as God wills God's will be done.

  • With a kind of religious zeal, he wills himself to be like others.

    Fiction book (1992)

  • Coren took a deep breath and willed himself not to panic.

    Fiction book (1995)

  • She willed herself to finish the marathon despite being exhausted.

  • He willed his desire for success to transform into actual achievements.

  • The coach seemed to will his players to victory with his motivational speech.

Idioms

at will
53 3.2

Whenever you want with no limits

time will tell
9 3.3

What happens becomes clear later

to heads will roll
  • Offensive
2 8.2

Warn that people will be punished or lose their jobs

all hell will break loose
  • Informal
1 7.9

A sudden time when many people lose control and chaos starts

with a will
1 6.0

To act with strong effort and energy

to bend someone's will
7.1

Persuade someone to do what you want

to bend to someone's will
7.1

To do what someone else wants even if you do not want to

to bet the feathers will fly
  • Informal
9.9

Says an angry argument is likely to happen

everything will be alright
2.1

Words that comfort someone by saying things will get better

five will get you ten
  • Archaic
9.9

You say this when you are very sure something will happen

murder will out
  • Archaic
9.9

The truth about a crime or wrong will come out eventually

sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me
  • Informal
8.7

A phrase that says hurt to the body is worse than insults and words do not hurt

will the real ... please stand up
  • Informal
9.5

A question asking which person is the real one

Phrasal Verbs

to shapeshift at will
9.9

To change your form or appearance whenever you want

Compounds

free will
93 5.8

Ability to choose what you do without being controlled by outside forces

God's Will
61 6.6

A plan or wish of God that guides what happens

ill will
19 5.3

A strong feeling of dislike or anger toward someone

living will
  • Specialized
14 5.7

An official paper that says what medical care you want if you cannot make decisions

good will
11 1.9

A friendly, helpful feeling toward other people

will to win
5 3.9

A strong desire to do well in competition or hard situations

iron will
4 4.6

Very strong determination not to give up

will-o'-the-wisp
  • Literature
1 9.9

A pale flickering light that appears at night over marshes

probate will
  • Formal
8.1

A court paper that confirms a dead person's wishes and lets named people manage their money and things

self-will
6.5

A strong wish to do things your own way even when others tell you not to

will o' the wisp
  • Literature
9.9

A thing that seems close but cannot be reached

will-maker
  • Specialized
4.6

A person who writes a will saying who gets their things after they die

will-o'-the-wisp
  • Literature
9.9

A hope that leads people on but cannot be reached

How Intentional

to compel
258 4.8
to force
∞ 2.3
to will
45 4.4
to intend
∞ 2.4
to want
∞ 1.0

Surface Forms

will infinitive
willed past
willed past participle
willing present participle
wills third person singular

Etymology

Will as a verb comes from the old idea of 'wishing' and means to want or decide that something should happen. So, to will something is to try to make it happen by your choice or authority.