fain

American  

[feyn] / feɪn /

adverb

1. gladly; willingly.

   He fain would accept.

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adjective

1. willing.

   They were fain to go.

2. Archaic. constrained; obliged.

   He was fain to obey his Lord.

3. Archaic. glad; pleased.

4. Archaic. desirous; eager.

fain British  

/ feɪn /

adverb

1. archaic (usually with would) willingly; gladly

   she would fain be dead

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adjective

1. obsolete

   1. willing or eager

   2. compelled

Etymology

Origin of fain

First recorded before 900; Middle English; Old English fæg(e)n; cognate with Old Norse feginn “happy”; akin to fair ¹

Explanation

The old-fashioned adverb fain describes the manner of gladly or willingly doing something. You would fain have stayed home, but you had to venture out in the rain. Fain comes from the Old English fægen, meaning "happy, glad, or well pleased." When you're fain to do something, you are happy to do it, like when you're exhausted and would fain take a nap. Sometimes fain is also used as an adjective to describe someone obligated or willing to do something: "He was fain to hand over half the lemonade stand money to his little brother."

Example Sentences

FAIN: Let’s look at the reform of this union.

From Seattle Times • Feb. 2, 2023

Ay, that's true; but in case of necessity, as of health, or some such emergency - FAIN.

From The Way of the World by Congreve, William

Why, this is nothing to what he used to do:- before he found out this way, I have known him call for himself - FAIN.

From The Way of the World by Congreve, William