Wilful Meaning in English
word
ˈwɪlfəl
WIL-fuhl
wˈɪlfəl
WIL-fuhl
Definition
Describes someone who does things deliberately and refuses to change their mind, even when told not to. It can also mean doing something on purpose, often in a way that is stubborn or unreasonable.
Usage & Nuances
Mainly British spelling (US: 'willful'). Used both for stubborn people and deliberate wrongful acts ('wilful damage'). Often slightly negative, implying unreasonable persistence.
Spanish: terco - intencionadoPortuguese (BR): teimoso - voluntárioPortuguese (PT): teimoso - voluntárioChinese (Simplified): 任性的 - 故意的Chinese (Traditional): 任性的 - 故意的Hindi: ज़िद्दी - जानबूझकर किया गयाArabic: عنيد - متعمدBengali: জেদি - ইচ্ছাকৃতRussian: умышленный - упрямыйJapanese: 頑固な - 意図的なVietnamese: cố ý - bướng bỉnhKorean: 고집스러운 - 일부러 하는Turkish: inatçı - kasıtlıUrdu: ضدی - ارادیIndonesian: keras kepala - disengaja
Example Sentences
The child was wilful and refused to listen to his parents.
basic
She acted in a wilful way during the discussion.
basic
His wilful decision caused problems at work.
basic
Her wilful attitude makes it hard for others to cooperate with her.
natural
The damage to the car was wilful, not accidental.
natural
Don't be so wilful—just try it their way once.
natural