What does alacritous mean?
'Alacritous' is a rare English adjective meaning cheerfully eager and briskly willing — describing someone who responds to demands or opportunities with lively, good-humored promptness rather than grudging compliance. It functions as the adjectival form of the better-known noun 'alacrity', which denotes cheerful eagerness itself. In practice, the word appears mostly in formal or literary writing: one might speak of an alacritous reply, an alacritous volunteer, or an alacritous acceptance of a task. Its connotations are wholly positive, suggesting enthusiasm combined with speed and energy, and it is distinguished from simple obedience by its note of genuine pleasure in action. Because it is uncommon, using it lends prose a distinctive, slightly old-fashioned elegance, though writers should be aware that many readers will be more familiar with 'alacrity'. The word derives from the Latin 'alacer', meaning lively or brisk, and shares this root with 'alacrity'; related forms include the adverb 'alacritously'.
adjectiveCheerfully eager and briskly willing; marked by lively promptness in action or response. It is the adjectival counterpart of the noun 'alacrity'.
- Cheerfully eager; showing lively willingness and promptness in responding or acting.
"She accepted the assignment with an alacritous nod and was at her desk before anyone else."
"The volunteers were alacritous in their offers to help after the storm."
"He gave an alacritous reply to the invitation, arriving early with supplies in hand."
If 'alacrity' is the spark, 'alacritous' is the flame — a rare adjective that turns cheerful eagerness into a description.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of alacritous
'Alacritous' traces back to the Latin 'alacer', meaning lively, brisk, or cheerful, which entered English through the noun 'alacrity', borrowed from Latin via Italian in the 15th–16th century. The adjective 'alacritous' was formed later as a direct adjectival derivative, alongside the adverb 'alacritously'. Its closest relatives are therefore 'alacrity' and 'alacritously', all preserving the original Latin sense of lively eagerness.
Related word forms
How alacritous is actually used
A rare and somewhat literary word, far less common than its noun counterpart 'alacrity'. It carries an entirely positive connotation of brisk, good-humored willingness rather than mere dutiful compliance.
Easily confused with alacritous
'Alacrity' is the noun denoting cheerful eagerness itself, while 'alacritous' is the rarer adjective describing someone or something that displays that quality.