fain

1 of 2

adjective

ˈfān 

1

a

: willing

he was very fain, for the young widow was "altogether fair and lovely … "

—Amy Kelly

b

: being obliged or constrained : compelled

Great Britain was fain to devote its whole energy … to the business of slaying and being slain

—G. M. Trevelyan

2

archaic : happy, pleased

3

archaic : inclined, desirous

fain

2 of 2

adverb

1

: with pleasure : gladly

a speech of fire that fain would blaze

—William Shakespeare

2

a

: by preference

knew it, too, though he would fain not admit it publicly

—John Lukacs

b

: by desire

I would fain consult you

—W. S. Gilbert

Synonyms

Adjective

• amenable
• disposed
• game
• glad
• inclined
• minded
• ready
• willing

Adverb

• first
• preferably
• rather
• readily
• soon
• willingly

Examples of fain in a Sentence

Adjective

during the Renaissance most men of science and the arts were fain to express their noblest thoughts in Latin, the lingua franca of the learned

Adverb

“I would fain not marry that suitor, my lord,” the princess pleaded

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English fagen, fayn, from Old English fægen; akin to Old English gefēon to rejoice, Old High German gifehan, Old Norse feginn happy

Adverb

Middle English fayn, derivative of fayn fain entry 1

First Known Use

Adjective

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Adverb

12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

fain

1 of 2 adjective

ˈfān 

1

archaic : glad, happy

2

archaic : desirous

3

: forced sense 1

fain

2 of 2 adverb

1

: in a willing manner : gladly

2

: rather sense 1