fain

1 of 2

adjective

ˈfān How to pronounce fain (audio)
Synonyms of fainnext
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

Adverb

See all Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus 

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of fain was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near fain

faimly

fain

fainaigue

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“Fain.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fain. Accessed 29 Nov. 2024.

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Kids Definition

fain

1 of 2 adjective
ˈfān How to pronounce fain (audio)
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

More from Merriam-Webster on fain

Nglish: Translation of fain for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of fain for Arabic Speakers

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