How to pronounce will
Say it like WIL. Will is a single syllable, so the whole word carries the stress.
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce will. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- WIL
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Will 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.
American vs British pronunciation of will
American and British speakers say will in essentially the same way: /wɪl/ in the US and /wɪl/ in the UK.
British respelling: WIL.
What does will mean?
- the capability of conscious choice and decision and intention“the exercise of their volition we construe as revolt”
- a fixed and persistent intent or purpose“where there's a will there's a way”
- a legal document declaring a person's wishes regarding the disposal of their property when they die
- decree or ordain“God wills our existence”
- determine by choice“This action was willed and intended”
- leave or give by will after one's death“My aunt bequeathed me all her jewelry”“My grandfather left me his entire estate”
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with will
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of will.
Words that sound like will
- we'll
Questions about saying will
How do you pronounce will?
Say WIL. The American pronunciation is /wɪl/. In British English it is /wɪl/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in will?
Will is a single syllable, so the whole word carries the stress. Broken into parts: WIL.
Do Americans and Brits say will the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /wɪl/ and the British form is /wɪl/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.
What words sound the same as will?
Will sounds the same as we'll in American English. The spelling and meaning are what tell them apart.