willy-nilly
1
8.2
- idiom
- /ˈwɪliˈnɪli/
- Informal
:
desordenadamente
- There are old, sketch gumball machines (Kaugummiautomats) scattered willy-nilly about Germany.
Now 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
126
2.4
In a way that has no clear plan or order
48
4.4
To act naturally without planning or being forced
44
2.7
By chance, without any plan or order
27
5.5
In a way that has no clear reason or plan
22
6.7
Doing things without careful choice or noticing differences
12
4.9
In many different directions in a messy, random way
11
5.8
Without thinking or paying attention
9
6.1
In a way that is not planned or organized
5
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
7.7
Says or does something without planning
1
3.4
In a messy way that is not neat
In a messy, disorganized way
In a careless, messy way
Without a plan or clear order
A way of acting that has no order or plan
In a way that is not planned beforehand
Antonyms
How Orderly
75
3.9
20
1.0
- Informal
1
8.2
9
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.