alacrity
gb/əlˈækɹəti/ us/əlˈækɹəti/
C1
English
~ 9400
készség, készségesen, fürgeség, serénység
NOUN
C1
FORMAL
1
készség
B2
készségesen
B2
Usage pattern:
to do [something] with alacrity
She accepted the job offer with alacrity, eager to start her new career.
Örömmel és nagy készséggel fogadta el az állásajánlatot, alig várta, hogy elkezdhesse az új karrierjét.
The volunteers responded with alacrity when the shelter asked for extra help.
Amikor a menhely extra segítséget kért, az önkéntesek azonnal és nagy készséggel reagáltak.
Students showed surprising alacrity in signing up for the early-morning workshop.
He agreed with such alacrity that everyone could see how much he wanted the opportunity.
The team tackled the difficult project with alacrity, seeing it as a welcome challenge.
Learner examples
He answered the teacher's question with alacrity.
Nagy készséggel válaszolt a tanár kérdésére.
They agreed with alacrity to help us move.
Nagy készséggel beleegyeztek, hogy segítsenek a költözésben.
The children ran to the playground with alacrity.
She joined the new club with alacrity.
Our staff showed alacrity when the manager asked for support.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes think 'alacrity' only means 'quickly' and ignore the idea of eagerness or cheerful willingness. It usually suggests both quick action and a positive, willing attitude. Another issue is register: it is quite formal, so it can sound strange in very casual speech.
Meaning
eager and willing readiness
Collocations
with alacrity
|show alacrity
|respond with alacrity
|accept with alacrity
|demonstrate alacrity
|perform a task with alacrity
Synonyms
eagerness (Stresses strong desire; slightly less formal and less focused on quick action.)
|
willingness (Focuses on being ready to agree or help, without necessarily suggesting quick, energetic action.)
|
enthusiasm (Highlights strong interest and excitement, but not always the idea of prompt action.)
Antonyms
reluctance (Shows someone does not really want to do something, opposite of eager readiness.)
|
hesitation (Emphasizes delay or uncertainty before acting, the opposite of quick, eager response.)
Themes
emotions
|work
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Eager and happy readiness to do something, and doing it quickly.
Brisk, cheerful willingness to do something, shown by a quick and eager response or action.
NOUN
C1
FORMAL
2
Usage pattern:
[someone] moves with alacrity
The waiter moved with alacrity, clearing the tables in minutes.
A pincér fürgén mozgott, és percek alatt leszedte az asztalokat.
Despite his age, he climbed the stairs with surprising alacrity.
Kora ellenére meglepő fürgeséggel ment fel a lépcsőn.
The dog jumped to its feet with alacrity as soon as it heard the leash jingle.
Learner examples
The nurse walked from room to room with alacrity.
A nővér fürgén járt szobáról szobára.
He got out of bed with alacrity when he heard his name.
Fürgén kipattant az ágyból, amikor meghallotta a nevét.
They finished the cleaning with alacrity.
The child ran to the door with alacrity.
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse this sense with pure 'speed' words like 'fast' or 'quickly'. 'Alacrity' here often suggests a lively, energetic quality, not just high speed.
Meaning
brisk and lively quickness
Collocations
move with alacrity
|rise with alacrity
|work with alacrity
|obey with alacrity
Synonyms
briskness (Focuses on quick, energetic movement; does not always include the idea of eagerness.)
|
swiftness (Highlights speed itself rather than energy or cheerfulness.)
Antonyms
slowness (General lack of speed, opposite of quick action.)
|
lethargy (Very low energy and slow movement, contrasting with lively quickness.)
Themes
movement
|work
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Lively and fast way of moving or acting.
Brisk, energetic quickness in movement or response, often suggesting a lively tempo as much as willingness.
Grammar
Dictionary form
alacrity
IPA
GB/əlˈækɹəti/
US/əlˈækɹəti/
Syllables & stress
alac - rity (2 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (rity)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: alacrity
- Plural: alacrity
Expressions
with alacrity
1/wˈɪθ əlˈækɹəti/
fixed phrase
formal
in an eager and quick way
Eagerly and quickly; showing that you really want to do something and do it fast.
Examples
- When asked to stay late, she agreed with alacrity.
- The audience accepted the invitation to ask questions with alacrity.
- He stepped forward with alacrity to volunteer for the task.