wilful

IPA/ˈwɪlfl/
IPA/ˈwɪlfl/

wilful — 形容詞

  • wilfulpositive
  • more wilfulcomparative
  • most wilfulsuperlative

1. describes a harmful action done on purpose, knowing it breaks rules or moral sta

1.形容詞C1
釋義

故意的；任性

明知不對仍故意做壞事，或固執不聽勸的

describes a harmful action done on purpose, knowing it breaks rules or moral standards; or describes a stubborn person who insists on having their own way despite others' advice.

例句

The driver was charged with wilful damage after crashing his car into a shop window.

那名司機故意把車撞進商店櫥窗，被控以故意毀損罪。

collocation: wilful damage

The construction firm was found guilty of wilful neglect over missing safety rails.

該營造公司因缺少安全護欄而被認定構成故意疏忽罪。

collocation: wilful neglect (legal context)

常見搭配
  • wilful damage
  • wilful neglect
  • wilful ignorance
  • wilful misconduct
  • wilful disobedience
  • wilful child
  • wilful behaviour
同義詞
  • deliberate

    Neutral — does not carry moral judgment; 'wilful' adds blame or disapproval

  • intentional

    Neutral register; 'wilful' is more formal and implies the person knew it was wrong

  • stubborn

    More informal and person-focused; lacks the 'deliberate bad action' meaning

  • headstrong

    Emphasises impulsive determination rather than calculated wrongdoing

反義詞
  • accidental

    Describes events that happen without intent

  • compliant

    Describes a person who follows rules and listens to others

用法筆記

Common in British legal and formal contexts. The American spelling is 'willful'. When applied to a person, it often carries a disapproving tone about their stubbornness.

常見錯誤

She made a wilful decision to study abroad.
She made a deliberate decision to study abroad.
'wilful' almost always describes bad or harmful actions, not neutral or positive choices.

同根字

常見搭配

名詞搭配

副詞搭配

常用片語

  • wilful act
  • wilful default