alacrity

IPA/əˈlækrəti/
KK[əlˈækrəti]IPA/əˈlækrəti/

alacrity — noun

1. quick, willing action that shows someone is glad to help or agree

1.nounC2
Definition

quick, willing action that shows someone is glad to help or agree

Example

The cleanup team cleared the hall with alacrity after the fire drill.

collocation: with alacrity

When the coach called for volunteers, Theo stepped forward with alacrity.

respond with alacrity to a request

Common collocations
  • with alacrity
  • show alacrity
  • display alacrity
  • respond with alacrity
  • accept with alacrity
  • with surprising alacrity
Synonyms
  • readiness

    broader and more neutral; it can stress preparation rather than cheerful speed

  • eagerness

    warmer and more emotional; it does not always suggest quick action

  • promptness

    focuses on speed of response, with less sense of willingness

  • willingness

    focuses on consent or attitude, not brisk action

Antonyms
  • hesitation

    shows delay or uncertainty instead of quick agreement

  • reluctance

    emphasises unwillingness or resistance to act

Grammar Patterns

with alacrity

show alacrity in + noun phrase

respond with alacrity to + noun phrase

Usage Note

This noun is most often used in the pattern with alacrity, especially in formal writing. It often suggests not only speed but also a noticeably ready or cheerful response, and writers sometimes use it to hint that someone's eagerness is striking.

Common Mistakes

The staff worked in alacrity after the alarm.
The staff worked with alacrity after the alarm.
The usual pattern is with alacrity, not in alacrity.
Their alacrities impressed the director.
Their alacrity impressed the director.
Alacrity is usually uncountable and is not normally used in the plural.

Word family

  • alacritous
    adjectiveC2

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

Alacrity is the most literary of these words. It suggests that someone responds quickly and with an obvious willingness, often in a way that others notice. Readiness is broader and more neutral: it can mean being prepared, available, or willing, without the same lively tone. Eagerness is more emotional and personal, showing strong desire, but it does not always imply fast action. Promptness focuses on speed and punctual response, with little comment on attitude. A manager may praise a worker's promptness for sending a report on time, readiness for being prepared to step in, eagerness for wanting the task, and alacrity for jumping in quickly and gladly the moment help is needed.

alacrity ↗readiness ↗eagerness ↗promptness

Common collocations

Nouns

Phrases

  • with alacrity
  • respond with alacrity
  • accept with alacrity
  • be met with alacrity

Prepositions

Etymology

LatinFrenchEnglish

Alacrity comes from the Latin noun alacritas, meaning lively or eager spirit. It passed through French into English and kept the idea of quick, cheerful readiness to act.

First known use

15th century

15th century, in the meaning defined above