fain

Willingly, in verse

Fain is an archaic or literary word meaning gladly or willingly: I would fain stay longer.

As an adjective, it means pleased or inclined: He was fain to accept their offer.

The word survives mainly in historical fiction and poetry, carrying a tone of old-fashioned courtesy or wistful desire.

willing

gladly

With eager willingness

readilyWithout delay or reluctance
disposedInclined toward something
inclinedTending toward, tilted

amenable · consenting · agreeable · prepared · compliant · acquiescent · receptive · obliging · accommodating · cooperative

archaic

gladly

With eager willingness

willinglyBy free choice
readilyWithout delay or reluctance
pritheeArchaic entreaty word

forsooth · anon · wherefore · hither · thither · henceforth · perchance · mayhap · betwixt · oft

eager

desirous

Wanting something strongly

yearningIntense prolonged craving
longingIntense, persistent desire
wishfulDriven by desire

hoping · craving · pining · aspiring · keen · anxious · impatient · hungry · thirsting · wanting

Categories

Archaismsthee, thou, thy, thine, ye
archaic adverbsanon, betimes, ere, erstwhile, forsooth
archaic Englishthou, thee, thy, thine, ye
archaic wordsthee, thou, thy, thine, tis
Old English Wordsthee, thou, thy, thine, hitherto

Opposites

willingness

Opposed to participating

reluctant · loath · averse · disinclined · loth

manner of action

fainreluctantly

With obvious unwillingness

unwillingly · grudgingly · involuntarily · forcibly · willy-nilly

Family

feign, feigned, feigning

Familiarity: Top 1,000,000
Profile: Used worldwide · Timeless · Abstract · Everyday, not technical · Rated G