Fain — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

adjective adverb /ˈfān/

Meaning & Definition of Fain

Fain (adjective)

  1. willing
  2. being obliged or constrained, compelled
  3. happy, pleased

Fain (adverb)

  1. with pleasure, gladly
  2. by preference
  3. by desire

Fain (adjective) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. having a desire or inclination (as for a specified course of action)

    "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"

    similar: amenable, disposed, game, glad, inclined, minded, ready, willing
    related: predisposed, prone, accommodating, agreeable, compliant, cooperative, obedient, obliging, submissive, favorable, receptive, prepared, prompt, quick, responsive, swift, desirous, eager, enthused, enthusiastic, excited
    opposite: disinclined, unamenable, unwilling
    near: averse, loath, reluctant, reticent

Fain (adverb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. by choice or preference

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

    similar: first, preferably, rather, readily, soon, willingly
    related: alternately, alternatively, either, instead, electively, optionally, desirably, gladly, wishfully, obligingly, voluntarily
    opposite: involuntarily, unwillingly
    near: reluctantly, forcibly, willy-nilly

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Fain

The most common words with a similar meaning to Fain:

amenable, disposed, game, glad, inclined, minded, ready, willing, first, preferably, rather, readily, soon, willingly

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Fain

Words with the opposite meaning of Fain:

disinclined, unamenable, unwilling, involuntarily, unwillingly

Related Words for Fain

predisposed, prone, accommodating, agreeable, compliant, cooperative, obedient, obliging, submissive, favorable, receptive, prepared, prompt, quick, responsive, swift, desirous, eager, enthused, enthusiastic, excited, alternately, alternatively, either, instead, electively, optionally, desirably, gladly, wishfully

Near Antonyms of Fain

averse, loath, reluctant, reticent, reluctantly, forcibly, willy-nilly

Origin & Etymology of Fain

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

First known use: before 12th century

Frequently Asked Questions about Fain

What does "Fain" mean?

"Fain" means willing. As an an adjective and an adverb, it is defined as: willing. It has 2 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Fain"?

Other words for "Fain" include amenable, disposed, game, glad, inclined, minded, ready and willing. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Fain" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Fain"?

There are 46 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Fain". Common alternatives include amenable, disposed, game, glad, inclined, minded, ready, willing, first and preferably.

What is the opposite of "Fain"?

Antonyms of "Fain" include disinclined, unamenable, unwilling, involuntarily and unwillingly. Near antonyms include averse, loath, reluctant and reticent.

How do you use "Fain" in a sentence?

Examples of "Fain" in a sentence: "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"; "I would fain not marry that suitor, my lord, the princess pleaded".

Is "Fain" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Fain" can be used as an adjective and an adverb, depending on the context.

How do you pronounce "Fain"?

"Fain" is pronounced /ˈfān/.

What is the origin of the word "Fain"?

"Fain" comes from Middle English fagen, fayn, from Old English fægen; akin to Old English gefēon to rejoice, Old High German gifehan, Old Norse feginn happy. First known use: before 12th century.