Phrase guide

with a will

prep_phrase · 1 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

Each Play button uses your device's default local English voice, or a natural local fallback. The selected voice name appears after playback. This is synthesized speech, not a source recording.

  • General-American, Received-Pronunciation: /ˌwɪθ‿ə ˈwɪl/
  • Australia: Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
  • rhymes with -ɪl

1

prep_phrase

Meaning 1

With willingness and zeal; with all one's heart or strength; earnestly, heartily.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: dated, idiomatic

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: resolutely

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

From with + a + will (“firmity of purpose, fixity of intent”), originally often used to refer to rowing a boat vigorously.

Across languages

Translations

1 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Finnish: innolla — with willingness and zeal — see also earnestly, heartily