wilful Wilful means deliberate. Wilful is more commonly used in modern speech of bad conduct or actions than of good though it does not necessarily connote blame. Wilful means not only intentional but also connotes something which is done without lawful excuse. Wilful means deliberate or intentional, and not accidental or by inadvertence. The word wilful when used in statutes connotes different concepts. In some case it may means wantonly in others intentionally or deliberately, in some others consciously.