will

will¹

modal verb (3rd singular present will; past would)

1》 expressing the future tense.

    ↘expressing a strong intention or assertion about the future.

2》 expressing inevitable events.

3》 expressing a request.

    ↘expressing desire, consent, or willingness.

4》 expressing facts about ability or capacity.

5》 expressing habitual behaviour.

6》 expressing probability or expectation about something in the present.

Origin

OE wyllan, of Gmc origin.

Usage

On the differences in use between will and shall, see usage at shall.

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will²

noun

1》 the faculty by which a person decides on and initiates action.

    ↘(also willpower) control or restraint deliberately exerted.

    ↘a desire or intention.

2》 a legal document containing instructions for the disposition of one's money and property after one's death.

verb

1》 chiefly formal or literary intend or desire to happen.

    ↘bring about by the exercise of mental powers.

2》 (will something to) bequeath something to.

    ↘leave specified instructions in one's will.

Phrases

at will at whatever time or in whatever way one pleases.

have a will of one's own have a wilful character.

with the best will in the world however good one's intentions.

with a will energetically and resolutely.

Derivatives

-willed adjective

willer noun

Origin

OE willa (n.), willian (v.), of Gmc origin; related to will¹ and the adverb well¹.