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Definition of willy

willy

/ˈwɪl.i/
wil · ly
Plural:willies
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willy Lexical Profile

willy Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

British A mild, informal, or childish term for the penis.

Example

"The toddler giggled when the doctor examined him during the routine checkup."

2

A sudden feeling of nervous discomfort, unease, or fright (almost always used in the plural as 'the willies').

Example

"Walking past the abandoned house at midnight always gives me the willies."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
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Word Nuance & Usage

Primarily used in British, Irish, and Australian informal speech (often by or with children) for the anatomical sense, whereas in North America the plural form 'the willies' is common for a sudden feeling of nervous fear.

• Rhymes for willy

• Nearby Words

willowherb
willowy
willpower
willy
wilmette
wilmington
wilson

Word Origin & Etymology

Originates as a pet form of the given name William; the nervous sensation sense ('the willies') arose in late 19th-century American slang of uncertain origin.

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Willy. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/willy
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