fain

9 synonyms and 5 antonyms for fain, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.

Adj — Archaic or literary: glad or willing, especially to do something for lack of a better choice.

Synonyms

Everyday swaps

Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.

willing glad prepared

Less common

Still standard English, but they carry more weight.

readily gladly eagerly disposed inclined

Rare, literary or technical

Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.

lief

Synonyms by Meaning

1. adj

Archaic or literary: glad or willing, especially to do something for lack of a better choice.

“She was fain to accept the offer, having no better one.”

willing glad readily gladly eagerly prepared disposed inclined

Opposites

unwilling averse loath reluctant disinclined

2. adv

Archaic or literary: gladly; by choice.

“He would fain have stayed longer, but duty called.”

gladly lief

Etymology

From Old English fægen, "glad, joyful," a word going back to a Proto-Germanic root meaning "glad."

Full origin of fain →

Frequently asked questions

What does “fain” mean?

The word “fain” means archaic or literary: glad or willing, especially to do something for lack of a better choice. In plain terms, an old-fashioned word meaning "gladly" or "willing," now mostly seen in older literature.

How do you pronounce “fain”?

“Fain” is pronounced fayn (/feɪn/ in IPA).

How do you use “fain” in a sentence?

Here is “fain” used in a sentence: “She was fain to accept the offer, having no better one.”

What part of speech is “fain”?

Depending on how it is used, “fain” can be an adjective and an adverb.

Where does the word “fain” come from?

The word “fain” comes from Old English. From Old English fægen, "glad, joyful," a word going back to a Proto-Germanic root meaning "glad.".

How many meanings does “fain” have?

“Fain” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: archaic or literary: glad or willing, especially to do something for lack of a better choice.

People also searched

glad prepared willing readily inclined reluctant unwilling disposed gladly eagerly averse loath

Nearby words

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