What does wilfully mean?
Wilfully means deliberately and intentionally, especially when a person knowingly chooses to do something that is wrong, improper, or contrary to instructions. The word often appears in legal reporting, journalism, and discussions of misconduct, where it emphasizes that an action was not the result of accident or misunderstanding. For example, a statement that an official wilfully withheld information suggests a deliberate decision to conceal facts, not merely a failure to communicate them. Although wilfully can describe any intentional action, it frequently has a negative or blame-implying connotation, so it is stronger and more pointed than simply saying that someone did something on purpose. In British English, "wilfully" is the usual spelling; American English more often uses "willfully." The word is useful because it distinguishes conscious, purposeful conduct from behavior that happens unintentionally.
adverbDeliberately and intentionally, especially when doing so is wrong, improper, or contrary to instructions. It can also mean knowingly and consciously.
- Deliberately or intentionally, especially with the implication that an action is wrong, improper, or knowingly contrary to instructions.
"The driver wilfully ignored the warning signs and continued into the flooded area."
"The company wilfully failed to disclose a serious risk to its investors."
"She spoke wilfully, choosing words that she knew would provoke an argument."
Wilfully is the British spelling of the word Americans more often spell willfully, and its use often sharpens the idea of a knowing choice to act wrongly.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does wilfully come from?
Wilfully is an adverb formed from the adjective wilful, meaning determined or resolved to do something. The adjective comes from will in the sense of intention or deliberate choice, and ultimately from Old English willa, meaning will or desire. The related forms willingly, willingness, and wilfulness belong to the same Germanic and Old English word family, while the modern spelling distinction between British wilfully and American willfully reflects later standardization.
Related word forms
How wilfully is actually used
Wilfully is formal in tone and frequently occurs in legal, journalistic, and moral contexts. It usually suggests more than merely doing something intentionally: the action is often presented as a conscious decision and may carry an implication of blame. The spelling "willfully" is the more common form in American English.
Easily confused with wilfully
Wilfully means acting deliberately, often with a negative or blame-implying sense, whereas willingly means doing something of one's own free choice, usually without suggesting wrongdoing.