God willing

See also: god willing

English

Alternative forms

Etymology

Absolute construction; comparable to the phrase (if) God be willing.

Interjection

God willing

  1. (often as disjunct) Barring unforeseen circumstances, it is hoped that (while generally also indicating acceptance of God's will).
    Synonyms: Lord willing, Deo volente (Latin loan), inshallah (Islam-specific wording), Lord willing and the creek don't rise, gods willing (polytheistic or secularly jocular), please God (lit. if it [should] please God)
    Antonyms: God forbid, heaven forbid; see also Thesaurus:God forbid
    God willing, we'll meet again same time next year.
    See y'all again same time next year, God willing.
    • 1602, The Tragedy of Hamlet, Prince God willing,of Denmark:
      And what so poor a man as Hamlet is May do, to express his love and friending to you, God willing, shall not lack.
    • 2020 May 16, John Halpin, “Viewpoint: In defense of brevity, pragmatism, self-criticism”, in The Sentinel, volume 2020, number XXX, Hanford, Calif.: Santa Maria News Media, →OCLC, page A3, column 2:
      My wife and I have two kids a little bit younger than you all. One is in college and one is supposed to start this fall (God willing).

Usage notes

The Bible prescribes using this type of qualifier when discussing plans for the future. (James 4:13-15)

Derived terms

Translations

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