wills
B2Formal (noun); Formal/Literary (verb)
Definition
Meaning
The third-person singular present tense form of the verb 'to will', meaning to intend, decide, or cause to happen by the power of one's own determination.
As a plural noun, it refers to the legal documents by which a person expresses their wishes regarding the distribution of their property after death. As a verb, it can also mean to influence or command through psychic or mental power.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The verb 'will' as an auxiliary for future tense is not covered here. This entry focuses on the lexical verb 'to will' (meaning to intend or desire strongly) and the plural noun 'wills' (legal documents). The verb form can imply strong determination, causation by intent, or, in a metaphysical context, psychic influence.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
As a noun (legal documents), usage is identical. The lexical verb 'to will' is slightly more common in formal or philosophical contexts in British English, while in American English it's strongly associated with psychic phenomena (e.g., 'he willed the door to open').
Connotations
In both varieties, the noun is neutral/legal. The verb connotes strong determination or, in certain contexts, a quasi-magical or psychic force.
Frequency
The plural noun 'wills' is moderately common in legal/administrative contexts. The lexical verb 'wills' is low-frequency and formal.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
NP wills NP (to-V) (e.g., She wills herself to continue.)NP wills that S (e.g., He wills that his fortune be donated.)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Where there's a will, there's a way.”
- “At will (as one pleases).”
- “A will of one's own (stubborn determination).”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare. May appear in legal departments discussing 'clients' wills' or in motivational contexts: 'The CEO wills the company to succeed.'
Academic
Common in philosophy/law (noun: 'study of ancient wills'; verb: 'the agent wills the action'). Also in psychology ('free will').
Everyday
Primarily the noun in contexts like 'My parents updated their wills.' The verb is uncommon in casual speech.
Technical
Legal: the core sense of testamentary documents. Parapsychology: 'psychokinesis' or 'willing' an object to move.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- She wills the team to victory through sheer determination.
- The dying man wills that his estate be managed by his brother.
American English
- He wills the final putt into the hole, winning the championship.
- The psychic claims she can will objects to levitate.
adverb
British English
- N/A for 'wills' as an adverb.
American English
- N/A for 'wills' as an adverb.
adjective
British English
- N/A for 'wills' as an adjective.
American English
- N/A for 'wills' as an adjective.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- Their wills are in the safe.
- He has a strong will.
- The lawyer is processing several wills this week.
- She wills herself to stay awake during the lecture.
- The court must validate the conflicting wills presented by the family.
- An athlete wills their body to perform beyond its usual limits.
- Philosophers debate whether an agent truly wills an action or is determined by prior causes.
- The collection of historical wills provides insight into medieval social structures.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
WILLS: When I Leave Life, my Stuff (the noun). WILLS: With Intense Longing, I Let Something happen (the verb).
Conceptual Metaphor
WILL IS A FORCE (He has an iron will. She willed the ball into the net.). WILL IS POSSESSION (He has a strong will. She lost the will to fight.).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with the future auxiliary 'will' (будущее время). The noun 'will' is 'завещание', not 'воля' (which is 'free will' or 'volition'). 'Against one's will' is 'против воли'.
- The verb 'to will' (wills) is 'желать/захотеть сильно' or 'приказывать силой мысли', not the common verb 'хотеть'.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'will' as a noun uncountably when referring to a single document (incorrect: 'He made a will.' is correct).
- Confusing 'wills' (verb) with the future tense auxiliary (e.g., 'He wills go' is incorrect; 'He will go' is correct).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'wills' used as a NOUN?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. The future auxiliary 'will' (e.g., I will go) is a function word. The verb 'wills' discussed here is a lexical verb meaning to intend or determine forcefully.
As a noun, 'will' is singular, 'wills' is plural (e.g., one will, two wills). As a verb, 'wills' is only the third person singular present form (e.g., he/she/it wills).
In modern legal English, 'last will and testament' is a fixed phrase. 'Will' is the standard term for the document; 'testament' is a more formal, often archaic, synonym. They are used together for legal thoroughness.
It is quite formal or literary. In everyday speech, people would more likely say 'she is determined to make it happen' or 'she really wants it to happen'. Using 'wills' directly sounds deliberate and forceful.