wilful
/'wilful/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Adjective:
- Done deliberately or intentionally: An action performed with conscious purpose and design, not by accident or chance.
- Stubbornly determined to have one's own way: Describes a person or behavior that is obstinate, headstrong, and resistant to guidance or authority.
Usage and Examples
Meaning: Intentional, Deliberate:
- The court found the damage to the property to be wilful.
- It was a case of wilful neglect of duty.
Meaning: Stubborn, Obstinate:
- The wilful child refused to eat his vegetables.
- Her wilful disregard for the rules caused many problems.
Advanced Usage and Notes
- Legal Context: In legal terminology, "wilful" often implies an action done with a wrongful purpose, knowledge of its consequences, or reckless disregard. For example, "wilful misconduct" or "wilful blindness."
- Spelling Variant: The spelling "willful" is the standard form in American English. "Wilful" is common in British English, though "willful" is also accepted.
Variants and Related Words
- Wilfully (Adverb): In a deliberate or stubborn manner.
- He wilfully ignored the safety instructions.
- Wilfulness (Noun): The quality or state of being wilful.
- Her wilfulness made compromise impossible.
Synonyms
- Deliberate, Intentional, Purposeful (for the first meaning).
- Headstrong, Obstinate, Stubborn, Unyielding (for the second meaning).
Antonyms
- Accidental, Unintentional, Inadvertent (for the first meaning).
- Compliant, Obedient, Amenable, Docile (for the second meaning).
Idioms and Phrases
- Wilful ignorance: The decision to ignore or avoid known facts or information.
- His failure was a result of wilful ignorance about the market trends.
- Wilful disobedience: The deliberate refusal to obey a command, rule, or authority.
- The soldier was punished for wilful disobedience.
Adjective
- habitually disposed to disobedience and opposition
- done by design
- the insult was intentional
- willful disobedience