Phrase guide

if you will

adv · 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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No pronunciation record was provided for this word.

1

adv

Meaning 1

Please, kindly; used in giving a non-concrete instruction.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Examples

  • But imagine, if you will, a world where these logistical problems were solved.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

adv

Meaning 2

So to speak, like; used to indicate that a description is not standard.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Examples

  • These are "partial artifacts", if you will: the imaging process has merely amplified flaws that were already present in the original.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

3

adv

Meaning 3

Used in conceding a description or choice of terms.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Examples

  • He wasn't a very honest person; a liar, if you will.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.

Across languages

Translations

13 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Danish: om du vil — conceding a description
  • Danish: om man vil — conceding a description
  • German: wenn Sie so wollen — conceding a description
  • German: wenn du so willst — conceding a description
  • German: sozusagen — conceding a description
  • Italian: per così dire — conceding a description
  • Latin: si vis — conceding a description
  • Polish: że tak powiem — conceding a description
  • Portuguese: por assim dizer — conceding a description
  • Russian: если угодно (jesli ugodno) — conceding a description
  • Serbo-Croatian: ако ћемо право (ako ćemo pravo) — conceding a description
  • Spanish: por así decirlo — conceding a description
  • Spanish: mejor dicho — conceding a description