will Definition

will¹
auxiliary verb

1. Expressing or indicating: the future tense of other verbs, especially when the subject is you, he, she, it or they.

Example: They will no doubt succeed
2. Expressing or indicating: intention or determination, when the subject is I or we.

Example: We will not give in
3. Expressing or indicating: a request

Example: Will you please shut the door?
4. Expressing or indicating: a command

Example: You will apologize to your mother immediately!
5. Expressing or indicating: ability or possibility.

Example: The table will seat ten
6. Expressing or indicating: readiness or willingness.

Example: Any of our branches will exchange the goods
7. Expressing or indicating: invitations

Example: Will you have a coffee?
8. Expressing or indicating: what is bound to be the case.

Example: The experienced teacher will know when a child is unhappy
9. Expressing or indicating: what applies in certain circumstances.

Example: An unemployed youth living at home will not receive housing benefit
10. Expressing or indicating: an assumption or probability.

Example: That will be Paul at the door
11. Expressing or indicating: obstinate resistance to advice.

Example: She will leave her clothes on the floor
12. Expressing or indicating: choice or desire. See also shall, won't, would.

Example: Make what you will of that

Etymology: Anglo-Saxon wyllan.

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will²
noun

1. The power of conscious decision and deliberate choice of action.

Example: free will
Example: exercise one's will
2. One's own preferences, or one's determination in effecting them.

Example: a clash of wills
Example: against my will
3. Desire or determination.

Example: the will to live
Thesaurus: desire, inclination, volition, want, wish, pleasure, yearning, craving, longing, hankering; Antonym: indifference.
4. A wish or desire.
5a. Instructions for the disposal of a person's property, etc after death;
5b. The document containing these.
6. One's feeling towards someone else.

Example: felt no ill-will towards her

verb willed, willing

1. To try to compel someone by, or as if by, exerting one's will.

Example: willed herself to keep going
2. formal
To desire or require that something be done, etc.
Example: Her Majesty wills it
Thesaurus: command, insist, decree, order, demand, enjoin, request; wish, want, prefer.
3. To bequeath something in one's will.

Idiom: at will

As and when one wishes.

Idiom: with a will

Eagerly; enthusiastically.

Idiom: with the best will in the world

Note: with negatives
No matter how willing one is or how hard one tries.

Etymology: Anglo-Saxon willa.