Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English homepage

Language: Old English
Origin: willa 'will, desire'

will

2 noun
     
Related topics: Death, Law
will2 S2 W2
1

determination

[uncountable and countable] determination to do something that you have decided to do, even if this is difficult:
Children sometimes have strong wills.
the will to live/fight/succeed etc
Even though she was in terrible pain, Mary never lost the will to live.
What is lacking is the political will to get anything done about global warming.
an iron will/a will of iron (=very strong determination)
a battle/clash/test etc of wills (=when two people who both have strong wills oppose each other)
➔ strong-willed, weak-willed
2

legal document

[countable]SCLMX a legal document that says who you want your money and property to be given to after you die:
Have you made a will yet?
in somebody's will
My grandfather left me some money in his will.
3

what somebody wants

[singular] what someone wants to happen in a particular situation:
He accused her of trying to impose her will on others.
against your will
Collier claims the police forced him to sign a confession against his will.
will of
the will of the people
obedience to God's will
 ➔ free will
4

with the best will in the world

British English spoken used to say that something is not possible, even if you very much want to do it:
With the best will in the world, I don't see what more I can do.
5

where there's a will there's a way

spoken used to say that if you really want to do something, you will find a way to succeed
6

at will

whenever you want and in whatever way you want:
He can't just fire people at will, can he?
7

with a will

written in an eager and determined way
Definition from the Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English
Advanced Learner's Dictionary.

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