Deo volente

English

Etymology

From Latin Deo volente, an absolute ablative. See James 4:15: “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.” - a critique of those who are over-confident in their ability to determine their own future.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˌdeɪəʊ vəˈlɛnteɪ/, /ˌdiːəʊ vəˈlɛnti/

Interjection

Deo volente

1. God willing; inshallah.
   • 1973 December 8, A. Nolder Gay, “Coping With Christmas”, in Gay Community News, volume 1, number 25, page 3:

     Deo volente, I shall be with my new family on Christmas, and perhaps you will be there too.

Synonyms

• D.V.

Translations

God willing — see God willing

Dutch

Interjection

Deo volente

1. Deo volente; God willing

   Synonym: (near-synonym) ijs en weder dienende

Usage notes

• Variants of this phrase are occasionally heard in Dutch. Most recently, corona volente ("if COVID-19 wills/allows it") has seen some usage.