meaning with examples
While wilful is the original spelling of this adjective, willful is also correct and is the preferred spelling in North America.
Wilful/willful is used when describing someone who is stubborn and does what he/she wants regardless of the consequences.
- I don’t like looking after Patrick’s children. They are so wilful.
- Were you a wilful child?
- Dean is quick-tempered and wilful. He is a nightmare to work with.
Wilful also means intentional, deliberate. In this sense, it’s used to describe actions that were done on purpose.
- I will never forgive Tom. What he did was a wilful and vile attack on my reputation.
- They say it wasn’t an accident. It was wilful murder.
- Wilful neglect of a child is a criminal offence.
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