# gladly

/ˈɡɫædɫi/ (US) · /ɡlˈædli/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/gladly
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. willingly

adverb · CEFR B1

used to say that you are very happy or willing to do something.

For teachers: 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'.

### 2. with joy

adverb · CEFR B2 · Literary

doing something in a happy or joyful way.

For teachers: 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.

## Examples

- I would gladly help you with your bags.
- She gladly accepted the invitation to speak at the conference, as she had always admired the organization's work.
- While some viewed the extra training as a burden, the new recruits gladly embraced the opportunity to refine their technical skills before the project began.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.