willy-nilly
17
8.2
- idiom
- /ˈwɪliˈnɪli/
- Informal
- There are old, sketch gumball machines (Kaugummiautomats) scattered willy-nilly about Germany.
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Watch on YouTubeNow it's just just corporations Willy nilly raising prices.
- Now it's just just corporations Willy nilly raising prices.
- OK, just because you don't need a degree doesn't mean you can just start Willy nilly without knowing anything.
- So things that you know, on the on land, but these objects seem to just move Willy nilly between all three of them.
- When you have a recipe, is it a crime to take it and change the ingredients up like Willy nilly?
Examples
-
The children tossed their toys willy-nilly across the room during playtime.
-
He threw the papers willy-nilly onto the table, causing a big mess of information.
-
Their plans for the event were made willy-nilly, resulting in confusion for everyone involved.
Synonyms
116
2.4
In a way that has no clear plan or order
56
2.7
By chance, without any plan or order
45
4.4
To act naturally without planning or being forced
26
5.5
In a way that has no clear reason or plan
21
6.7
Doing things without careful choice or noticing differences
21
7.7
Says or does something without planning
16
4.9
In many different directions in a messy, random way
11
5.8
Without thinking or paying attention
8
6.1
In a way that is not planned or organized
4
2.9
In a careless, untidy way that makes things messy
2
8.4
To do something without thinking carefully first
1
1.4
In a messy way that leaves food or paint everywhere
1
3.4
In a messy way that is not neat
1
6.9
A way of acting that has no order or plan
1
8.8
In a careless, messy way
In a messy, disorganized way
Without a plan or clear order
In a way that is not planned beforehand
Antonyms
How Orderly
69
3.9
16
1.0
- Informal
17
8.2
8
6.1
1
5.6
Surface Forms
Etymology
Willy-nilly can also mean 'in a random or untidy way'. This sense grew because acting 'whether you want to or not' often leads to doing things without a plan, so the phrase now describes actions done with no order.