The willies Meaning in English
expression
ˈðə/, /ðə/, /ði/ /ˈwɪliz
thuh WIL-leez or thee WIL-leez
ðə, ði/ /wˈɪliz
thuh WIL-leez or thee WIL-leez
Definition
A feeling of fear, nervousness, or discomfort, often for no clear reason; the sensation you get when something creeps you out. Used informally.
Usage & Nuances
Informal and usually plural: always 'the willies', not 'a willie'. Used with 'give' (give me the willies). Not literal fear—more creepy/nervous feeling. Mainly spoken, rarely in writing.
Spanish: escalofríos (de miedo) - nervios (informal)Portuguese (BR): aflição (informal) - arrepios (de medo)Portuguese (PT): arrepios (de medo) - medo (informal)Chinese (Simplified): 发毛 (害怕) - 毛骨悚然Chinese (Traditional): 發毛 (害怕) - 毛骨悚然Hindi: डर लगना (अनौपचारिक)Arabic: قشعريرة (خوف) - رهبة (عامية)Bengali: ভয় পাওয়া অনুভূতি - গায়ে কাঁটা দেওয়া (অপ্রচলিত)Russian: мурашки (от страха) - жутко (разговорное)Japanese: ぞっとする気持ち - 恐怖感 (カジュアル)Vietnamese: cảm giác rùng mình (vì sợ hãi) - nổi da gà (thông tục)Korean: 오싹함 - 소름 (비격식)Turkish: ürperti (korku) - tüyler ürpermek (samimi)Urdu: خوف کا احساس (عام فہم)Indonesian: merinding (karena takut) - rasa geli (gaul)
Example Sentences
Old houses at night give me the willies.
basic
That horror movie gave my sister the willies.
basic
Spiders always give me the willies.
basic
I can't walk past that creepy old doll. She totally gives me the willies.
natural
Just thinking about that place at night gives me the willies.
natural
He told such a strange story, it honestly gave me the willies.
natural