Wilfully - Meaning, Definition & English Examples
Wilfully means doing something deliberately or intentionally, often with a stubborn or reckless disregard for consequences. It implies a conscious choice to act in a certain way.
Definition:
Intentionally or deliberately, often with a stubborn or unreasonable attitude.
Synonyms:
deliberately, intentionally, knowingly, purposely, voluntarily
Part of Speech:
adverb
Antonyms:
accidentally, unintentionally, involuntarily
Common Collocations:
act wilfully, behave wilfully, ignore wilfully, refuse wilfully, violate wilfully
Derivatives:
wilful (adj), wilfulness (n)
Usage Tips:
Use "wilfully" to emphasize deliberate action, often with a negative connotation of stubbornness or defiance.
Common Phrases:
wilfully ignorant, wilfully disobedient, wilfully neglectful
Etymology:
Derived from Old English "wilful," meaning "desiring" or "deliberate," combined with the adverbial suffix "-ly."
Examples:
- 1. She wilfully ignored the teacher's instructions.
- 2. He acted wilfully to disrupt the meeting.
- 3. The child broke the vase wilfully despite warnings.
- 4. They were accused of wilfully violating company policies.