Readily

Part of speech: adverb

Pronunciation: /ˈɹɛdɪli/

Definitions

1. Willingly and without hesitation, or in a way that is easy and quick to accomplish
2. Eagerly and without reluctance, or in a manner that facilitates prompt action
3. Promptly and with enthusiasm, or in a fashion that allows for effortless completion

Etymology: "Readily" is an adverb built from the adjective "ready" and the adverbial suffix "-ly". Its earliest form in English was the Middle English "redily" or "rediliche", which combined the adjective "ready" with the suffix that turns adjectives into manner adverbs, so the word means something like "in a ready way." The sense of "ready" it draws on is the older one of being prepared, prompt, or willing to act. So "readily" describes doing something promptly and without reluctance, which is why it came to mean "willingly, without hesitation." The word's core idea is preparedness: someone who is already set to act needs no persuasion.

Synonyms: easily, willingly, promptly, quickly, smoothly

Antonyms: reluctantly, slowly, hesitantly, unwillingly, grudgingly