The word "ill will" is often misspelled as "ill-well". The correct spelling can be explained using the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) as /ɪl wɪl/. It is a noun that means an intention or desire to do harm to someone, often stemming from anger or resentment. The word "ill" means "harm" or "evil" while "will" means "the intention or desire to do something". Therefore, "ill will" implies the intention or desire to cause harm, and should not be confused with "ill-well", which does not make sense linguistically.
Ill will refers to strong negative feelings or animosity towards someone. It is a state of harboring resentment, hostility, or a desire for revenge towards another person. Ill will typically arises due to a perceived injustice, offense, or harm caused by the other party. It involves holding negative thoughts and emotions towards that person, wishing them ill or hoping for their failure.
Ill will can manifest in various ways, including verbal abuse, negative gossip, intentionally undermining someone's efforts or reputation, or engaging in malicious acts towards them. It often stems from personal grudges or unresolved conflicts, and can have detrimental effects on relationships, both personal and professional.
Having ill will can be a result of jealousy, rivalry, or a perceived threat to one's own self-interests. It is a toxic state of mind that consumes energy and can lead to a vicious cycle of negativity. Holding ill will not only affects the person who harbors it, but also the targeted person, as it creates a hostile environment and prevents the establishment of positive interactions or resolution of conflicts.
Overcoming ill will involves consciously working towards forgiveness, empathy, and finding ways to positively address the underlying issues. It is essential for personal growth, improving relationships, and fostering a more harmonious atmosphere.
Hostile feeling; enmity. Note.-In most cases, when ill is used as a prefix or the first element of a compound, it would be well to unite the two words by a hyphen, thus, ill-conditioned, ill-assorted, ill-devised, &c.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
The word "ill will" can be broken down into two parts: "ill" and "will".
The word "ill" dates back to Old English and is derived from the Old Norse word "illr", meaning "bad" or "evil". It has been used to describe something unfavorable, harmful, or negative in various contexts.
The word "will" comes from Old English as well and is derived from the Old English word "willan" or "wyllan", meaning "to desire" or "to wish". It denotes intent, desire, or volition.
When used together as "ill will", the term describes a negative or hostile intention or feeling towards someone. The phrase suggests a deliberate desire or wish for harm or negative outcomes for another person.