gladly
5 synonyms and 0 antonyms for gladly, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adv — Willingly and with pleasure.
Synonyms
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use gladly
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From Old English glædlice, formed from glæd ("glad") plus the adverbial ending -lice.
Full origin of gladly →Frequently asked questions
What does “gladly” mean?
The word “gladly” means willingly and with pleasure. In plain terms, doing something happily and without hesitation.
How do you pronounce “gladly”?
“Gladly” is pronounced GLAD-lee (/ˈɡlædli/ in IPA).
How do you use “gladly” in a sentence?
Here is “gladly” used in a sentence: “I would gladly help you move this weekend.”
What part of speech is “gladly”?
“Gladly” is an adverb.
Where does the word “gladly” come from?
The word “gladly” comes from Old English. From Old English glædlice, formed from glæd ("glad") plus the adverbial ending -lice.
Is “gladly” a common word?
“Gladly” is an uncommon word in modern English.
What is the difference between "gladly" and "happily"?
Both adverbs describe doing something with pleasure, but "gladly" leans more toward willingness, as in agreeing readily to a request, while "happily" more directly emphasizes an emotional state of joy. In many sentences the two are interchangeable, especially when offering to help someone.
Is "gladly" formal or informal?
"Gladly" works well in both everyday and slightly more formal contexts, such as customer service replies ("I would gladly assist you") or polite acceptances. It reads as courteous without being overly stiff.
What are common phrases that use "gladly"?
"Gladly" is frequently paired with modal verbs, as in "would gladly help," "will gladly accept," or "gladly agreed to." These constructions signal willing, pleasant cooperation rather than reluctant compliance.