alacrity

USAGE SUMMARY

"alacrity" is a correct and usable word in written English.
It is an adjective which means eager and enthusiastic willingness. For example, "She approached her task with alacrity, keen to get started and eager to please."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

With the alacrity of a Widow Twankey suddenly called upon to defend fellow guild-member, Mother Goose, Today's guest editor upheld Woolf's damification as an establishment inevitability.

The Guardian - Opinion

Barnes said it was "curious" that this case had been acted on "with alacrity by police" and that the woman was charged with a crime, as there have been "very few" prosecutions of people for unauthorised access of data.

The Guardian

The curiously muted atmosphere contrasted sharply with the way South Africa's president, Jacob Zuma, and the US president, Barack Obama, emerge from election wins with alacrity to lap up adulation from cheering crowds.

The Guardian

Chelsea's third-choice striker duly took the ball, looked up at the luminous orange "Drogba Legend" sign, calmly set the ball and finished with the alacrity they had seen so consistently in these parts.

The Guardian - Sport

Her refusal to submit with sufficient alacrity to the will of the doctors was taken as evidence that she was unfit to be entrusted with this authority.

The Economist

Dr Mead tackled this and other problems with alacrity.

The Economist

It also has fine senses of smell and touch, and thrusts itself into the rough-and-tumble of feeding and mating with alacrity.

The Economist

Politics and morality are inescapably intertwined and few politicians head for the moral high ground with greater alacrity than the prime minister.

The Economist

When the chance came to ditch Lord Archer, the Tory leader seized it with alacrity and demanded that he step down.Mr Hague may have new headaches over Lord Archer's replacement, who will be chosen by the same process.

The Economist

Other central bankers may decry the Fed's alacrity at bringing cheaper money, but they usually join it in time.

The Economist

Often, it is impossible to tell from the alacrity with which web pages load up alone whether the connection is running at 10 Mbps or 100 Mbps.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "alacrity" when you want to emphasize not just willingness, but also a cheerful and speedy readiness. For example, "She accepted the challenge with alacrity."

Common error

Avoid using "alacrity" when only simple willingness is meant. "Alacrity" implies a positive and enthusiastic eagerness, not just a neutral agreement.

Linguistic Context

The noun "alacrity" typically functions as a descriptor of the manner in which an action is performed, indicating eagerness and promptness. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness. It often appears after prepositions such as "with", as seen in the examples from The Economist and The Guardian.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Encyclopedias

33%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

Science

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "alacrity" is a noun that describes eager and cheerful readiness. According to Ludwig AI, it is a correct and usable word in written English. It appears frequently in news and media, as well as encyclopedias. To ensure correct usage, remember that "alacrity" implies more than just willingness; it suggests enthusiasm and speed. Use synonyms like "eagerness" or "promptness" if the context requires a less intense expression. The many examples provided by Ludwig show its widespread use in various contexts, highlighting its value in conveying positive and proactive behavior.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

eagerness

Direct synonym focusing on enthusiasm and willingness.

promptness

Emphasizes the speed and readiness in response.

enthusiasm

Highlights the intense excitement and interest.

readiness

Focuses on the state of being prepared and willing.

willingness

Highlights a positive and cooperative attitude.

quickness

Emphasizes speed and swiftness in action.

swiftness

Stresses the rapid and prompt nature of action.

briskness

Implies an energetic and lively approach.

celerity

Formal term indicating swiftness and speed.

expeditiousness

Focuses on efficiency and speed in handling matters.

FAQs

How can I use "alacrity" in a sentence?

"Alacrity" is typically used to describe someone's enthusiastic willingness or promptness in doing something. For example, "He responded to the request with "eagerness" and "alacrity"."

What words can I use instead of "alacrity"?

Depending on the context, you can use synonyms like "eagerness", "promptness", or "enthusiasm" as alternatives to "alacrity".

Is it correct to say someone does something 'with alacrity'?

Yes, it is correct. The phrase "with alacrity" is commonly used to describe someone performing an action eagerly and quickly. For example, "She completed the task with "alacrity"."

What is the difference between "alacrity" and "reluctance"?

"Alacrity" describes eagerness and willingness, while "reluctance" describes unwillingness or hesitation. They are antonyms.