selfwilled

Selfwilled is an adjective describing a person who acts according to their own will, often in defiance of others’ advice or external authority. It typically conveys stubbornness and strong personal autonomy, and in many contexts carries a negative or judgmental undertone. In literary and moral-language usage, a selfwilled character may be portrayed as steadfast yet inflexible, sometimes provoking conflict or tragedy. The term can also be understood in a neutral or slightly positive sense when it highlights independence and resolve.

Etymology and form: Selfwilled is formed from the combination of self and will. The common modern spelling is self-willed (with a hyphen); the one-word variant selfwilled appears less frequently and is largely historical or stylistic. The related adjective willful has overlapping meaning but can emphasize intent, whereas self-willed stresses the source as the person’s own will.

Usage notes: Selfwilled is more likely to appear in descriptive prose, moralizing passages, or evaluative writing. It tends to be negative when used to criticize someone’s rigidity, but it may also simply describe a trait of independence without explicit praise or blame. In contemporary usage, willful or willful can express intention or deliberate action, while selfwilled foregrounds obstinacy and self-directed decision-making.

See also: obstinate, stubborn, headstrong, wilful (British spelling), willful, independent, autonomous.