Phrase guide

at will

adj · prep_phrase · 3 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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1

adj

Meaning 1

Alternative form of at-will.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: alt-of, alternative

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

prep_phrase

Meaning 2

At one's preference; as one sees fit.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: idiomatic

Examples

  • I'm writing my book at will - there's no deadline or minimum word count.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

3

adverb

Meaning 3

as one chooses or pleases

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • he can roam the neighborhood at will

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.

Across languages

Translations

19 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Catalan: a discreció — at one's preference
  • Dutch: naar willekeur — at one's preference
  • Esperanto: laŭvole — at one's preference
  • Finnish: omasta tahdostaan — at one's preference
  • French: à volonté — at one's preference
  • French: à loisir — at one's preference
  • French: quand on en a envie — at one's preference
  • German: nach Belieben — at one's preference
  • Greek: κατά βούληση (katá voúlisi) — at one's preference
  • Italian: a volontà — at one's preference
  • Italian: a piacere — at one's preference
  • Italian: a piacimento — at one's preference
  • Norwegian Bokmål: etter forgodtbefinnende (eget) — at one's preference
  • Polish: dowolnie — at one's preference
  • Polish: według woli — at one's preference
  • Polish: wedle woli — at one's preference
  • Polish: wedle uznania — at one's preference
  • Spanish: a discreción — at one's preference
  • Spanish: a voluntad — at one's preference