readily
REH-dih-lee
Readily (adv) means Without hesitation or reluctance; willingly. Example: “She readily admitted that the mistake was hers and apologised.”
adv
1
Without hesitation or reluctance; willingly.
"She readily admitted that the mistake was hers and apologised."
"The neighbours readily lent us their ladder when we asked."
"He readily agreed to help with the move."
"The suspect readily answered all questions the police officers asked him."
2
Easily, without difficulty.
"Fresh herbs are readily found at most markets in the summer."
"The stain came out readily with a little warm water."
"Light does not pass through water nearly as readily as it passes through air, and in order to function efficiently, an animal that lives in the water must rely on other senses in addition to light."
— Richard Ellis, The Book of Sharks (1983)
"readily available; readily achievable"
"The information is readily available online."
How to use readily
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEasily or willingly, without needing persuasion or effort.
Common pairings
readily available
readily admit
readily agree
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Word forms
- Comparative
- readilier, more readily
- Superlative
- readiliest, most readily
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
She _____ admitted that the mistake was hers and apologised.
Etymology
From "ready" plus the adverb suffix "-ly."
Related words
Rhymes for readily
See all rhymes for readily →Frequently asked questions
What does “readily” mean?
The word “readily” means without hesitation or reluctance; willingly. In plain terms, easily or willingly, without needing persuasion or effort.
How do you pronounce “readily”?
“Readily” is pronounced REH-dih-lee (/ˈɹɛdɪli/ in IPA).
How do you use “readily” in a sentence?
Here is “readily” used in a sentence: “He readily agreed to help with the move.”
What part of speech is “readily”?
“Readily” is an adverb.
Is “readily” a common word?
“Readily” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “readily” have?
“Readily” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: without hesitation or reluctance; willingly.
What is the difference between 'readily' and 'easily'?
'Easily' means without difficulty or effort. 'Readily' can mean the same, but it often adds a sense of willingness, suggesting something is done promptly and without reluctance, as in 'she readily agreed.'
What is the difference between 'readily' and 'willingly'?
'Willingly' focuses purely on being glad or prepared to do something. 'Readily' overlaps but also suggests speed and ease, that a person acts at once and without hesitation, or that something is easy to obtain.
Where does 'readily' go in a sentence?
'Readily' usually comes directly before the main verb it describes, as in 'he readily admitted his mistake.' With forms of 'be' or an auxiliary verb, it typically follows them, as in 'the information is readily accessible.'
