alacrity

noun

alac·ri·ty ə-ˈla-krə-tē

Synonyms of alacrity next

: 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.

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

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Government forces retreated with unexpected alacrity. —

John Feffer, Newsweek, 10 Dec. 2024 But the play gets away with it, due both to the fiery conviction of Belawadi’s and Mudaliyar’s performances and to the spacious, non-mimetic alacrity of Flack’s staging. —

Sara Holdren, Vulture, 12 Sep. 2024 In contrast, its air campaign in Lebanon has so far been carried out with astounding accuracy and alacrity. —

Ari Shavit, Foreign Affairs, 5 Oct. 2024 Sharpness and alacrity will return to you in future. —

Jennifer Culp, Them, 26 July 2024 See all Example Sentences for alacrity