How to pronounce willy-nilly
American English pronunciation
wil-ee-NIL-ee
- IPA
- /ˌwɪliˈnɪli/
- Syllables
- wil · ee · NIL · ee (4 syllables, stress on the 3rd)
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What willy-nilly means
Any which way, with no plan or order
In a sentence: Toby tossed his toys willy-nilly into the closet and shut the door fast.
Where it comes from: It comes from the old phrase "will I, nill I," which meant "whether I want to or not."
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