willy-nilly

[ wil-ee-nil-ee ]
/ ˈwɪl iˈnɪl i /

adverb

in a disorganized or unplanned manner; sloppily.
whether one wishes to or not; willingly or unwillingly: He'll have to do it willy-nilly.

adjective

shilly-shallying; vacillating.
disorganized, unplanned; sloppy: willy-nilly work.

Origin of willy-nilly

1600–10; from the phrase will ye, nill ye. See will1, nill

Words nearby willy-nilly

Example sentences from the Web for willy-nilly

British Dictionary definitions for willy-nilly

willy-nilly
/ (ˌwɪlɪˈnɪlɪ) /

adverb

whether desired or not
haphazardly

adjective

occurring or taking place whether desired or not
occurring haphazardly

Word Origin for willy-nilly

Old English wile hē, nyle hē, literally: will he or will he not; nyle, from ne not + willan to will 1