Fain

/feɪn/ · adjective

Meaning

(chiefly UK, dialectal, or poetic) Often followed by of: glad, well-pleased..

Definitions by Sense

1. (chiefly UK, dialectal, or poetic) Often followed by of: glad, well-pleased.
2. (UK, dialectal) Chiefly followed by to, or (obsolete) for or of: eager or willing, or inclined.
3. (obsolete, except in fair and fain) Favourable, well-disposed.
4. (obsolete) Accustomed, apt, wont.
5. Chiefly preceded or followed by would.
6. To be delighted or glad about (someone or something); to rejoice in; also, to favour or prefer (someone or something).
7. To make (someone) glad; to gladden; hence, to congratulate (someone); to welcome (someone).
8. To celebrate or worship; specifically, to offer an oblation which is not a sacrificial blót (“ceremonial offering”).

Example Sentences

VVhat is the truſt or ſtrength of fooliſh man? / They that of late vvere daring vvith their ſcoffes, / Are glad and faine by flight to ſaue themſelues.

The cantie, auld folks, crackin crouſe, / The young ones ranting thro' the houſe— / My heart has been ſae fain to ſee them, / That I for joy hae barkit vvi' them.

[F]ine words to make foolish maidens fain. But do not excuse it; it is your country-fashion, and we know how to treat it as such.

Then mean I, that I should be wonderous fain / That shamefully they one and all were slain, / Whoever against Love mean aught amiss.

[M]y master is quite fain of his company.

O love, of my death my life is fain, / (The willows wave on the water-way,) / Your cheek and mine are cold in the rain, / But warm they'll be when we meet again. / (With a wind blown night and day.)

And fain and full was my heart, and I took him to my breast, / And I cherished him soft and warm, for I deemed I had gotten the best.

O lamentable brother! if those pity thee, / Am I not fain of all thy lone eyes promise me; / Half a fool's kingdom, far from men who sow and reap, / All their days vanity?

Synonyms for fain

Antonyms for fain

Related Words

Word Forms

• more fain
• most fain
• faine
• fainer
• fainest
• fains
• faining
• fained
• no-table-tags
• glossary
• fain
• fainedst
• faineth
• -

Usage Notes

Choose a synonym only when it preserves the intended meaning, tone, and grammar of the full sentence.

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