Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s Dictionary

1 ADV [usu ADV with v] If something happens to you willy-nilly , it happens whether you like it or not. □  The government were dragged willy-nilly into the confrontation.

2 ADV [usu ADV after v] If someone does something willy-nilly , they do it in a careless and disorganized way, without planning it in advance. □  Clerks bundled papers into files willy-nilly.

wilt /w I lt/ (wilts , wilting , wilted )

1 VERB If a plant wilts , it gradually bends downwards and becomes weak because it needs more water or is dying. □ [V ] The roses wilted the day after she bought them.

2 VERB If someone wilts , they become weak or tired, or lose confidence. □ [V ] She soon wilted in the morning heat. □ [V ] The government wilted in the face of such powerful pressure.

wily /wa I li/ (wilier , wiliest ) ADJ If you describe someone or their behaviour as wily , you mean that they are clever at achieving what they want, especially by tricking people. □  His appointment as prime minister owed much to the wily manoeuvring of the President.

wimp /w I mp/ (wimps ) N‑COUNT If you call someone a wimp , you disapprove of them because they lack confidence or determination, or because they are often afraid of things. [INFORMAL , DISAPPROVAL ]

wimp|ish /w I mp I ʃ/ ADJ Wimpish means the same as wimpy . [INFORMAL , DISAPPROVAL ]

wimpy /w I mpi/ ADJ If you describe a person or their behaviour as wimpy , you disapprove of them because they are weak and seem to lack confidence or determination. [INFORMAL , DISAPPROVAL ] □  …a wimpy unpopular schoolboy. □  This portrays her as wimpy, but she has a very strong character.

win ◆◆◆ /w I n/ (wins , winning , won )

1 VERB If you win something such as a competition, battle, or argument, you defeat those people you are competing or fighting against, or you do better than everyone else involved. □ [V n] He does not have any realistic chance of winning the election. □ [V ] The top four teams all won. □ [V amount] Konta won 2-6, 6-4, 6-3. ● N‑COUNT Win is also a noun. □  …Arsenal's dismal league run of eight games without a win.

2 VERB If something wins you something such as an election, competition, battle, or argument, it causes you to defeat the people competing with you or fighting you, or to do better than everyone else involved. □ [V n n] That sort of gain for Labour is nothing like good enough to win them the general election.

3 VERB If you win something such as a prize or medal, you get it because you have defeated everyone else in something such as an election, competition, battle, or argument, or have done very well in it. □ [V n] The first correct entry wins the prize. □ [V n] She won bronze for Great Britain in the European Championships.

4 VERB If you win something that you want or need, you succeed in getting it. □ [V n] …moves to win the support of the poor. □ [V n] British Aerospace has won an order worth 340 million dollars.

5 VERB If something wins you a prize or wins you something else that you want, it causes you to get it. □ [V n n] The feat won them a prize of £85,000.

6 → see also winning

7to lose the battle but win the war → see battle

8to win the day → see day

9to win hands down → see hand ➊

▸  win back PHRASAL VERB If you win back something that you have lost, you get it again, especially as a result of a great effort. □ [V P n] The Government will have to work hard to win back the confidence of the people. □ [V n P ] So he went and filed a suit and won his job back.

▸  win out or win through PHRASAL VERB If something or someone wins out or wins through , they are successful after a competition or struggle. □ [V P ] Sometimes perseverance does win out.