Alacrity

New Word A Day

Alacrity

Pronounced:
<a-lack-rit-tee>

Cheerful willingness.

My use:
I accept your invitation with alacrity. It will be a great party!

Literary use:
By Mark Twain
Tom gave up the brush with reluctance in his face but alacrity in his heart
means:
Tom gave up the brush with a "I do not want to give it up" expression on his face but a "happy to give it up" feeling inside.

Memory trick:
alacrity

a (reminds of) = a
lac (reminds of) = lack (things we don't have)
r (reminds of) = are
itty (reminds of) = itty (small)
a lack are itty
our lacks are small because we are cheerful

Listen: Alacrity