Basic Details
Word: Unwilling
Part of Speech: Adjective
Meaning: Not wanting to do something, so you hold back or do it only because you must.
Synonyms: reluctant, hesitant, disinclined
Antonyms: willing, eager, keen, ready
How to Spell Unwilling
Syllables: un - will - ing
Tricky part: Will keeps its double l, so ll sits in the middle; there is one n at the start and one in -ing. Students write unwiling or unnwilling.
Watch out for: unwiling, unnwilling, unwilleng
Memory tip: If you have no will to do a task, you are unwilling. Write the whole word will in the middle, both l's included: un-WILL-ing.
Usage Examples
Example 1: My little cousin was unwilling to share his new cricket bat.
Example 2: The shopkeeper seemed unwilling to give a refund for the torn shirt.
Example 3: Though unwilling at first, Meera agreed to sing at the morning assembly.
Fun Fact
Will goes back more than a thousand years to the Old English willa, a wish or desire. German has a close cousin, Wille, with the same meaning.
Practise the CREST Way
Word Connection
Choose the antonym of the word unwilling as used in the sentence:
The tired porter at the station was unwilling to carry the heavy trunk up three flights of stairs.
a) reluctant
b) hesitant
c) eager
d) slow
Show answer
c) eager. The porter is holding back, while an eager person is keen to begin.
Spell-o-Spell
Read the four words. Choose the meaning of the only correctly spelt word:
1. obstinite 2. indiferent 3. persistant 4. unwilling
a) continuing firmly in spite of difficulty
b) refusing to change your mind
c) not wanting to do something
d) not caring or interested
Show answer
c) not wanting to do something. Persistent takes -ent, obstinate ends in -ate, and indifferent needs ff.
Word Cookie
Fill in the missing letters to complete the word:
unw_ll_ng
a) a, i
b) e, i
c) i, e
d) i, i
Show answer
d) i, i. Both gaps are i: one for will and one for the -ing ending.
Multiple Choice Questions
1. An unwilling helper is one who ____.
a) cannot find the right place
b) helps but does not want to
c) is far too young to help
d) helps faster than anyone else
Show answer
b) helps but does not want to
2. Which word could replace unwilling in 'She was unwilling to lend her notes'?
a) able
b) reluctant
c) proud
d) delighted
Show answer
b) reluctant
