Alacrity
noun /əˈlækrɪti/ — Eager, brisk readiness to act.
Definition
Brisk and cheerful readiness — willingness to do something without hesitation or delay.
Beyond the definition
Alacrity isn't just speed — it's the quality of moving toward something with energy rather than reluctance. When someone responds with alacrity, they want to be doing what they're doing.
Origin & history
From Latin alacritas (liveliness, eagerness), from alacer (lively, eager). Has been in English since the mid-16th century.
Example sentences
Illustrative sentences for learning, not verified community posts or sourced quotations.
She accepted the research position with alacrity, already planning her first experiment.
The team responded to the crisis with surprising alacrity, resolving it within hours.
He lacked the alacrity his new role demanded — every task felt like a negotiation.
How to use it
This entry uses a noun. Follow the examples for articles and singular or plural forms; not every noun takes “a” or “an.”
Choose “Alacrity” when the meaning fits your context: Brisk and cheerful readiness — willingness to do something without hesitation or delay.
Synonyms
eagerness, readiness, keenness, willingness, enthusiasm
Antonyms
reluctance, sluggishness, apathy, hesitance
Related words
- zeal
- alacritous
- dispatch
- promptitude
Alacrity vs eagerness
Eagerness is the desire or motivation to act — an internal state of wanting. Alacrity adds the dimension of speed: not just wanting to help but responding without delay, with energy already in motion. You can feel eager without yet acting; alacrity is eagerness expressed as immediate readiness. The alacritous person has already started moving.
Word in the Wild
See how this word appears in life, language and stories.
Illustrative sentences and imagined stories for learning — not verified sightings, interviews, or sourced quotations.
Fictional scene
Ready to Capture Opportunity
An adult stands on a balcony with a camera ready for a sunbeam.
The person’s posture and readiness show a cheerful, brisk willingness to act the moment the sun breaks through. This illustrates alacrity—the ability to respond to a situation with immediate, energetic readiness without hesitation or delay.
Image credit: Wordspun · AI-generated conceptual illustration
Questions about this word
What does "Alacrity" mean?
Alacrity is noun meaning: Eager, brisk readiness to act.. Brisk and cheerful readiness — willingness to do something without hesitation or delay.
Where does the word "Alacrity" come from?
From Latin alacritas (liveliness, eagerness), from alacer (lively, eager). Has been in English since the mid-16th century.