alacrity

noun

alac·​ri·​ty ə-ˈla-krə-tē 

: promptness in response : cheerful readiness

accepted the invitation with alacrity

alacritous

ə-ˈla-krə-təs 

adjective

Did you know?

Alacrity Predates Shakespeare

"I have not that alacrity of spirit / Nor cheer of mind that I was wont to have," says William Shakespeare's King Richard III in the play that bears his name. Alacrity derives from the Latin word alacer, meaning "lively" or "eager." It denotes physical quickness coupled with eagerness or enthusiasm. Are there any other words in English from Latin alacer? Yes—allegro, which is used as a direction in music with the meaning "at a brisk lively tempo.” It came to English via Italian (where it can mean "merry") and is assumed to be ultimately from alacer.

Synonyms

• amenability
• gameness
• goodwill
• obligingness
• willingness

Examples of alacrity in a Sentence

Surely one of the most striking features of human dynamics is the alacrity with which those who have been oppressed will oppress whomever they can once the opportunity presents itself. —Randall Kennedy, Atlantic, May 1997

Every Disney worker I spoke to, from ticket sellers to gardeners sprucing up already-immaculate flower beds, knew the answer to my questions and responded with smiling alacrity. —Ken Tucker, Entertainment Weekly, 22 June 1990

… when he entered the drawing room before dinner, the buzz of discussion was high between Tom, Maria, and Mr. Yates; and Mr. Rushworth stepped forward with great alacrity to tell him the agreeable news. —Jane Austen, Mansfield Park, 1814

She accepted the invitation with an alacrity that surprised me.

having just acquired his driver's license that morning, the teen agreed with alacrity to drive his cousin to the airport

Recent Examples on the Web

But the supreme court showed little alacrity in hearing the multiple legal challenges brought before it. —Vaibhav Vats, The Atlantic, 3 Feb. 2024

After de Maistre gave a performance of Alberto Ginastera’s Harp Concerto, a work of dreaminess and rhythmic alacrity, in the early two-thousands, Ginastera’s widow suggested that de Maistre transcribe the Argentine composer’s songs for the harp. —The New Yorker, 8 Dec. 2023

Word History

Etymology

Latin alacritas, from alacr-, alacer lively, eager

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing alacrity

• with alacrity

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Kids Definition

alacrity

noun

alac·​ri·​ty ə-ˈlak-rət-ē 

: a cheerful readiness to do something

accepted with alacrity

alacritous

-rət-əs 

adjective