DictionaryAI

will

WIL/wɪl/

Formswill, willing, would, willed

13 meanings of will

Practice

  1. 1
    futureverbauxiliary
    Used to talk about the future, as in 'it will rain'.

    Think of it like an arrow pointing forward in time.

    It will rain tomorrow.

    I will call you tonight.

    Similarshall

    Note
  2. 2
    always doesverbauxiliary
    Used for what usually happens, or what someone always does.

    My cat will sit by the door for hours waiting for me.

    Old wooden floors will creak whenever someone walks across them.

    UsageSay accidents will happen.

    Note
  3. 3
    be willingverbauxiliary
    Used to ask or say what someone agrees or refuses to do.

    Will you help me carry these bags upstairs?

    Will you sit next to me on the bus?

    Note
  4. 4
    verbauxiliary
    Used to guess what is true now or has already happened, as in 'they will be asleep by now'.

    She will be at work by now, so try her office.

    That will be the postman.

    UsageSay that will be the postman, meaning you think so.

    Similarmust

    Note
  5. 5
    verbauxiliary
    Used to say something can do a job, as in 'this will fit'.

    My little car will seat five people at a squeeze.

    This box will hold all the books.

    Similarcan

  6. 6
    as you likeverbliterarytransitive
    To want or choose, used in phrases like 'call it what you will' and 'if you will'.

    Do what you will with the money.

    Think what you will, I'm not changing my mind.

    Similarlike, please, wish, want, choose

    Note

Practice

Can you tell the meanings of will apart? Answer 3 quick questions from this page, or write your own sentence and AI will check it.

Origins

Meanings 1–6, 13

From Old English willan, meaning "to want." It goes back to Proto-Germanic and an old root meaning "to choose or wish."

Checked 1 Nov 2026 · 3 facts

Meanings 7–10

From Old English willa, meaning "desire" or "will." It comes from an old root meaning "to choose or wish."

Checked 1 Nov 2026 · 3 facts

Meanings 11–12

From Old English willian, meaning "to will." It comes from an old root meaning "to choose or wish."

Checked 1 Nov 2026 · 3 facts