Alacrity
Cheerful readiness and brisk, eager action; eager willingness to do something.
nounAlacrity
Cheerful readiness and brisk, eager action; eager willingness to do something.
nounImagine This
Picture a student hearing a challenging question in class. Before the teacher finishes the call, the student jumps up with a bright smile, volunteering to answer and starting to explain the solution with energy and confidence.
Sounds Like
uh-LAK-ruh-tee
Looks Like
Looks like other -ity nouns (clarity, celerity); begins with the unusual 'ala-' cluster and ends with '-crity'.
Remember This
Alacrity emphasizes cheerful eagerness and promptness, not just speed. It often carries a positive, proactive connotation.
Other Forms
Connect With
eagerness, enthusiasm, readiness, briskness, zeal, promptness
Note
Used with 'with alacrity' (e.g., 'accepted the task with alacrity'). It is more formal or literary than everyday 'speed' words. Do not confuse with mere quickness; alacrity includes attitude and willingness.
Study Deeper
- She accepted the invitation with alacrity.
- The volunteers approached the cleanup with alacrity, working until dusk.
From Latin alacritas 'liveliness, cheerfulness', from alacer 'lively, eager' (from ad- 'to' + licere 'to be willing').
ALACRITY: Always Lively Attitude Creates Readiness In Time, Youth.
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Acronym
nounA word formed from the initial letters of a phrase, pronounced as a single word and used as a shorthand for the full name (for example, NASA or radar).