lief
9.9
Willingly, often used in older English
- adverb
- /liːf/
- Archaic
:
gustosamente
- I would as lief stay here as go out in the storm.
Examples
-
I would lief help you with your homework.
-
Would you lief join us for dinner?
-
He said he would lief help if he could.
-
Most men would lief forget such an unpleasant memory.
-
He would lief assist with the project if asked.
-
I would lief read a book than watch television.
-
She would lief travel to the mountains for a vacation.
Synonyms
gladly
vslief
136
1.0
With pleasure and willing to do something
is the archaic expression with the same basic sense
willingly
vslief
119
1.9
Doing something because you want to and not because you are forced
stresses pleasure rather than the choice to act
gleefully
vslief
19
3.0
With great joy and excitement
is about calm willingness and pleasure rather than excited joy
2
9.9
To do something gladly because you want to
is more general willingness without the extra eagerness
delightedly
vslief
2
2.9
In a very happy way that shows pleasure
focuses on willing pleasure rather than strong emotional joy
Antonyms
How Willing
Surface Forms
lief positive
Etymology
The word lief comes from an old English word lief meaning 'dear' or 'pleasant', the same idea as the everyday word 'dear' or 'beloved'. So to do something lief was to do it gladly or willingly.