alacrity

[ uh-lak-ri-tee ]

noun

1. cheerful readiness, promptness, or willingness:

   We accepted the invitation with alacrity.

   Synonyms: keenness, eagerness, zeal, fervor

2. liveliness; briskness.

   Synonyms: sprightliness, agility

alacrity

/ əˈlækrɪtɪ /

noun

1. liveliness or briskness

Derived Forms

• aˈlacritous, adjective

Other Words From

• a·lacri·tous adjective
• una·lacri·tous adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of alacrity¹

First recorded in 1500–10; from Latin alacritāt-, stem of alacritās “enthusiasm, zeal,” equivalent to alacer + -tās- noun suffix ( -ty ² )

Word History and Origins

Origin of alacrity¹

C15: from Latin alacritās, from alacer lively

Example Sentences

Despite your alacrity in the Colorado case, it is taking you months- months- to parse whether a president can assassinate his rivals with immunity from prosecution.

From Salon

They’re both walking encyclopedias of the genre, able to reel off titles of films, popular and obscure, with the alacrity of true aficionados.

From Los Angeles Times

Mr Rossi added that Judge Chutkan "does not care one iota that he is a presidential candidate" and, despite the appeals process, will still want her trial to move "with utmost alacrity".

From BBC

He has accomplished great things in his time as president, and the First Lady and Secretary Becerra both spoke within the last week about his efforts which have come with great alacrity.

From Salon

One game does not doom a season, a message that the Seahawks were spreading with alacrity after the game.

From Seattle Times