English

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Etymology

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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.

Pronunciation

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  • IPA(key): /ˈɡlædli/
  • Audio (US):(file)
  • Rhymes: -ædli

Adverb

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gladly (comparative gladlier or more gladly, superlative gladliest or most gladly)

  1. In a glad manner; happily.
    • 1915, G[eorge] A. Birmingham [pseudonym; James Owen Hannay], chapter I, in Gossamer, New York, N.Y.: George H. Doran Company, →OCLC:
      As a political system democracy seems to me extraordinarily foolish, but I would not go out of my way to protest against it. My servant is, so far as I am concerned, welcome to as many votes as he can get. I would very gladly make mine over to him if I could.
    • 1985, Joan Morrison, chapter 4, in Share House Blues, Boolarong Publications, page 44:
      'Find me a job and I'll gladly go to work.'
  2. Willingly; certainly.
    Would you like a beer? ― Gladly, thank you.

Derived terms

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Translations

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