What does willfully mean?
Willfully is an adverb meaning deliberately, intentionally, and with conscious awareness of what one is doing. It is especially useful when an action is not accidental or merely careless but instead reflects a conscious choice. The word often appears in legal, ethical, and news contexts involving misconduct, such as concealing evidence, disobeying instructions, or ignoring known risks. Although willfully can sometimes overlap with intentionally in neutral contexts, it frequently carries a more serious or accusatory implication. It is also often contrasted with willingly, which describes an action performed gladly rather than one carried out with deliberate intention. Willfully is the standard spelling in American English, while wilfully is more common in British English. As an adverb made from the adjective willful, the word describes conduct that is not incidental or unintentional, making it valuable when discussing responsibility, deliberate omission, and conscious misconduct.
adverbIn a deliberate or intentional manner; on purpose and with conscious intention.
- Deliberately and intentionally, with awareness of what one is doing.
"She willfully ignored the warning signs that the bridge was unsafe."
"The company willfully withheld information about the risks."
"He willfully disobeyed the instructions of the supervising officer."
Willfully means more than “on purpose”: it also suggests that the person knew what they were doing.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does willfully come from?
Willfully was formed by adding the adverbial suffix -ly to willful, an adjective meaning willing, intentional, or deliberate. The older spelling wilful remains common in British English, while willfully is especially common in American usage. The adjective's root is the Old English word for will or desire, related to willing and unwilling, and it later developed senses connected with actions performed deliberately and culpably.
How willfully is actually used
Willfully often carries a more accusatory or legally significant tone than intentionally, particularly when describing misconduct or disobedience. Willfully is the usual US spelling; British English more often uses wilfully.
Easily confused with willfully
Willfully means deliberately and intentionally, whereas willingly means gladly or voluntarily.