Word
gladly
Phoneticsglad·ly, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈɡɫædɫi/
UK/ɡlˈædli/
Adverb of manner
Definitions
01willingly
B1 · Intermediate
adv. used to say that you are very happy or willing to do something.
adv. expressing a high degree of willingness or readiness to perform an action.
“I would gladly help you with your homework if you need it.”
“The volunteers gladly offered their time to assist with the relief efforts, despite the challenging conditions on the ground.”
Usage
Typically placed before the main verb or after an auxiliary verb like 'would'.
Antonyms
02with joy
B2 · Upper Intermediate Literary
adv. doing something in a happy or joyful way.
adv. performing an action in a manner characterized by gladness or joy.
“The children played gladly in the park all afternoon.”
“The weary travellers greeted the sight of the village gladly, knowing that food and rest were finally within reach.”
Teaching tip
In modern conversation, 'gladly' almost always means 'willingly'. Using it to mean 'in a happy way' can sound slightly old-fashioned or literary.
Synonyms
Etymology
From Middle English gladly, gladliche, from Old English glædlīċe (“gladly”); equivalent to glad + -ly. Compare Danish glædelig (“joyful”), Icelandic gleðilegur (“delightful”). More at glad, -ly.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
ADJECTIVE
ADVERB
Idioms
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B1 PreliminaryIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.4.0–5.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 3.0–3.544–71TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.550–784
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B1 · Intermediate
- Updated
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englishreference.com/q/gladly