How to pronounce wilful
Say it like WIL-ful. Wilful has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (WIL).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce wilful. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- WIL
- ful
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Wilful pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- WILSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- fulKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "oo" in book.
American vs British pronunciation of wilful
American and British speakers say wilful in essentially the same way: /ˈwɪlfʊl/ in the US and /ˈwɪlfʊl/ in the UK.
British respelling: WIL-ful.
What does wilful mean?
- Intentional; deliberate.
- Stubborn and determined.
Where does wilful come from?
From Middle English wilful; equivalent to will + -ful.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Questions about saying wilful
How do you pronounce wilful?
Say WIL-ful. The American pronunciation is /ˈwɪlfʊl/. In British English it is /ˈwɪlfʊl/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in wilful?
Wilful has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (WIL). Broken into parts: WIL · ful.
Do Americans and Brits say wilful the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈwɪlfʊl/ and the British form is /ˈwɪlfʊl/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.