Both spellings are correct. “Willful” is the standard spelling in American English. “Wilful” is the standard spelling in British English and in most other countries that follow British spelling. The meaning is the same.
If you are unsure which one to use, match the spelling to your audience. Writing for readers in the United States usually calls for willful. Writing for readers in the UK, Australia, India, or Pakistan usually calls for wilful.
What willful and wilful mean
Both words are adjectives with two main senses.
1. Stubborn and determined to do things your own way.
- The toddler was too willful to wear her coat.
- He is a wilful child who rarely follows instructions.
2. Done on purpose, especially when it is wrong or harmful.
- The company was fined for willful neglect of safety rules.
- The court found him guilty of wilful damage to property.
The first sense describes a person’s character. The second describes an action that was deliberate rather than accidental.
Willful vs wilful by region
| Spelling | Where it is standard |
| willful | United States |
| wilful | United Kingdom, Australia, India, Pakistan and most Commonwealth countries |
Canadian English is mixed. Willful is common, and wilful also appears. Canadian writers should follow the style guide of their publication or organization.
The difference follows a familiar pattern. American English often uses a double l in words like skillful, fulfill, and installment, while British English uses a single l in skilful, fulfil, and instalment. Willful and wilful follow the same pattern. This is a general tendency, not a rule for every word.
Related forms follow the same split
The spelling choice carries over to the related words:
- willfully (US) / wilfully (UK)
- willfulness (US) / wilfulness (UK)
Pick one pair and use it consistently throughout your writing.
Willful and wilful in legal writing
These words appear often in law and official rules, so the spelling you see may depend on the country’s legal system.
In US law, willful describes an act done on purpose and with knowledge that it may be wrong or against the law. You will see phrases like “willful misconduct” and “willful violation.” The exact legal meaning can vary by statute and by court, so legal documents should be read in context.
In UK and Commonwealth law, wilful appears in phrases such as “wilful neglect” and “wilful misconduct.” Again, the precise legal test depends on the law being applied.
For everyday writing, the simple meaning of “on purpose” is enough.
Is “wilful” a misspelling in American English?
Not exactly. Most American style checkers will flag it, and American editors will usually change it to willful. But wilful is not an error in the wider English-speaking world. It is the normal spelling in British English. Treat it as a regional variant rather than a mistake.
Quick ways to choose
- Check your audience. US readers get willful. UK and Commonwealth readers get wilful.
- Check your style guide. If your school, employer, or publisher has one, follow it.
- Set your spell checker to the right language. English (US) and English (UK) will suggest the correct form automatically.
- Stay consistent. Do not use willful in one paragraph and wilful in the next.
Common questions
Is “willful” ever wrong?
Only when it clashes with the spelling style of the rest of your text. In a document written in British English, willful would look out of place, and the reverse is also true.
Do the two words sound different?
No. Both are usually pronounced the same way: WIL-ful.
Which one should I use if I write for a global audience?
Choose one and stay consistent. Many international publications follow British spelling, but US-based websites usually follow American spelling. Pick the style that fits most of your readers.
Summary
Willful and wilful are two spellings of the same word. Use willful for American English and wilful for British and most other varieties of English. Either way, keep the spelling consistent in the same piece of writing.
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