fain

UK: /feɪn/ US: (fān)

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

fain  (fān), adv. 

1. gladly;
   willingly:
   He fain would accept.

adj. 

2. content;
   willing:
   They were fain to go.
3. [Archaic.] constrained;
   obliged:
   He was fain to obey his Lord.
4. [Archaic.] glad;
   pleased.
5. [Archaic.] desirous;
   eager.

• bef. 900; Middle English; Old English fæg(e)n; cognate with Old Norse feginn happy; akin to fair¹

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

fain / feɪn/ adverb

1. (usually with would) willingly; gladly: she would fain be dead

adjective

1. willing or eager
2. compelled

Etymology: Old English fægen; related to Old Norse fegiun happy, Old High German gifehan to be glad, Gothic fahehs joy; see fawn²