Search

cheerful readiness, promptness, or willingness:
We accepted the invitation with alacrity.
liveliness; briskness.
Contemporary Examples

When it comes to nuns, though, the church is somehow able to act with alacrity.
Rebel Nuns Michelle Goldberg May 20, 2010

Down under, people endearingly call boxes of wine “goons,” and they drink them with alacrity.
Taking Boxed Wine Seriously: It’s Not Just for Hobos and Teenagers Anymore Jordan Salcito March 14, 2014

Historical Examples

And then, the ages having elapsed with some alacrity, the door opens and the two subjects of discussion make their appearance.
Somehow Good William de Morgan

The captain moved among them, and his orders were obeyed, but not with alacrity.
Brave and Bold Horatio Alger

It therefore received the fugitives with alacrity, and making their cause its own, declared war upon Assisi.
Life of St. Francis of Assisi Paul Sabatier

“Why, certainly, certainly,” the old man chirped with alacrity.
The Mystery of Murray Davenport Robert Neilson Stephens

“I used to have a corporal that was an ex-burglar,” he said, plunging into the new subject with alacrity.
Quin Alice Hegan Rice

“Makes me glad, missie,” said the cowpuncher, with alacrity.
The Night Riders Ridgwell Cullum

But, unhappily, there was alacrity enough in another quarter.
Personal Recollections of Joan of Arc Mark Twain

Needless to say Captain Eri agreed to this plan with alacrity.
Cap’n Eri Joseph Crosby Lincoln

noun
liveliness or briskness
n.

mid-15c., from Latin alacritatem (nominative alacritas) “liveliness, ardor, eagerness,” from alacer (genitive alacris) “cheerful, brisk, lively;” of uncertain origin, perhaps cognate with Gothic aljan “zeal,” Old English ellen “courage, zeal, strength,” Old High German ellian.