self-willed
Word Rarity
Rare
Frequency: 3.15 in modern English
17
Scrabble Score
10
Letters
3
Syllables
7
Unique Chars
Meaning
adj
Obstinate; strong-minded; unyielding to the desires, concern or opinions of others.
adj
Possessing self-will; determined to pursue one's own desires or adhere to one's own opinion..
Example Sentences
- "Emma perceived that the nature of his gallantry was a little self-willed, and that he would rather oppose than lose the pleasure of dancing with her; but she took the compliment, and forgave the rest. Had she intended ever to marry him, it might have been worth while to pause and consider, and try to understand the value of his preference, and the character of his temper; but for all the purposes of their acquaintance, he was quite amiable enough."
- "But then Pen was different. Pen was a man. It seemed natural somehow that he should be self-willed and should have his own way."
- "He was so self-willed that he refused to do anything that did not grant instant satisfaction or direction."
- "The idea of self-willed machines, which could decide to take over the world, scares all the people smart enough to create such devices."
Etymology
From Middle English selfe-willed, selwillyd, equivalent to self- + willed. Compare Middle English onwille, anewil (“selfwilled, stubborn”), from Old English ānwille (literally “one-willed, one's own-willed, self-willed”).
Origin
Word Breakdown
Inflected Forms
more self-willed (comparative)
most self-willed (superlative)