willy-nilly

• Adverbe signifiant 'que vous le vouliez ou non' ou 'de manière désordonnée, au hasard'. S'emploie pour décrire des actions qui se produisent sans ordre ni choix, impliquant souvent un manque de contrôle ou de planification.

An adverb meaning 'whether one likes it or not' or 'in a haphazard or random manner.' It is used to describe actions that occur without order or choice, often implying a lack of control or planning.

1. Without order or planningC1informal

   In a haphazard or random manner; without any definite direction or purpose.

   au hasard, sans ordre ni but

   • Papers were scattered willy-nilly across the desk.
   • He threw his clothes willy-nilly into the suitcase.
   • The crowd moved willy-nilly through the streets.

   Synonymesarbitrarilychaoticallydisorderlyhelter-skelterpell-mellrandomlyunsystematically

   Antonymesdeliberatelyintentionallymethodicallypurposefullysystematically

2. Whether one likes it or notC2formalbritish

   Used to describe something that happens regardless of a person's wishes or consent.

   Bon gré mal gré

   • The new regulations will be enforced willy-nilly.
   • He was dragged willy-nilly into the argument.
   • The company must adapt to the changes willy-nilly.

   Synonymesinevitablynecessarilyunavoidably