to will

Examples

• All

• "Annie, I’m going to will the cabinet to you," he said.

  Academic text (2008)

• - It was willed to him.

  Jersey Shore Massacre (2014)

• When my father died... he willed his seat to her.

  John Wick: Chapter 2 (2017)

• And what if someone wills you their share?

  The Covenant (2006)

• Sometimes seats were willed to children; other times, members traded up for better, more expensive seats as financial circumstances allowed.

  Academic text (1990)

• He actually willed it to me.

  Blaze (2018)

• He willed it to me for a favor I'd done him.

  The Bridge on the River Kwai (1957)

• Very much against Mrs. Heyward's wishes, the estate was willed to the Foundation by her husband decades ago.

  Blog text (34)

• In the end, he willed the clocks to his wife, Israeli ex-pat Nili Shamrat.

  Blog text (13)

• When my father passed away, he explicitly willed his property to his favorite charity in his last testament.

Synonyms

L

to leave

vsto will

546 5.5

To give property or money to someone when you die

is a formal declaration in a legal testament for transfer after death

B

to bequeath

vsto will

• Formal

24 8.9

To leave property or money to someone in your will when you die

is the act of formally stating that giving inside a legal testament

Idioms

A

at will

53 3.2

Whenever you want with no limits

T

time will tell

9 3.3

What happens becomes clear later

H

to heads will roll

• Offensive

2 8.2

Warn that people will be punished or lose their jobs

A

all hell will break loose

• Informal

1 7.9

A sudden time when many people lose control and chaos starts

W

with a will

1 6.0

To act with strong effort and energy

B

to bend someone's will

7.1

Persuade someone to do what you want

B

to bend to someone's will

7.1

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

B

to bet the feathers will fly

• Informal

9.9

Says an angry argument is likely to happen

E

everything will be alright

2.1

Words that comfort someone by saying things will get better

F

five will get you ten

• Archaic

9.9

You say this when you are very sure something will happen

M

murder will out

• Archaic

9.9

The truth about a crime or wrong will come out eventually

S

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

W

will the real ... please stand up

• Informal

9.5

A question asking which person is the real one

Phrasal Verbs

S

to shapeshift at will

9.9

To change your form or appearance whenever you want

Compounds

F

free will

93 5.8

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

G

God's Will

61 6.6

A plan or wish of God that guides what happens

I

ill will

19 5.3

A strong feeling of dislike or anger toward someone

L

living will

• Specialized

14 5.7

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

G

good will

11 1.9

A friendly, helpful feeling toward other people

W

will to win

5 3.9

A strong desire to do well in competition or hard situations

I

iron will

4 4.6

Very strong determination not to give up

W

will-o'-the-wisp

• Literature

1 9.9

A pale flickering light that appears at night over marshes

P

probate will

• Formal

8.1

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

S

self-will

6.5

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

W

will o' the wisp

• Literature

9.9

A thing that seems close but cannot be reached

W

will-maker

• Specialized

4.6

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

W

will-o'-the-wisp

• Literature

9.9

A hope that leads people on but cannot be reached

Surface Forms

Etymology