wilfully (adverb)/ΛwΙͺlfΙli/ β Willingly, of one's own free will.
willfully sounds exactly like wilfully but has a different meaning and spelling. Mixing these up is one of the most common spelling mistakes in English.
wilfully
adverb
Willingly, of one's own free will.
How to Remember the Difference
- β Focus on meaning first β once you know what each word means, the correct spelling follows naturally.
- β Write a test sentence for each word and save it as a reference.
- β When in doubt, look up the definition β if it doesn't match your sentence, switch to the homophone.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a homophone of wilfully?
willfully is a homophone of "wilfully". They sound identical when spoken but have different meanings and spellings.
What is the difference between wilfully and willfully?
"wilfully" means: Willingly, of one's own free will.. "willfully" means: Willingly, of one's own free will.. They sound the same but are used in completely different contexts.
What is a homophone?
A homophone is a word that sounds exactly like another word but has a different meaning and often a different spelling. Examples include "their / there / they're", "to / too / two", and "wilfully / willfully". Homophones are a common source of spelling and grammar mistakes.
How do I remember the difference between wilfully and willfully?
A good strategy is to memorize a short sentence that uses each word correctly, then recall that sentence when you are unsure. For example, focus on the meaning first β then let the spelling follow from context. Reading and writing regularly also helps these distinctions become automatic.