First Known Use: before 12th century
Dictionary
1fain
adjective \ˈfān\
Definition of FAIN
3
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Origin of FAIN
Middle English fagen, fayn, from Old English fægen; akin to Old English gefēon to rejoice, Old High German gifehan, Old Norse feginn happy
Related to FAIN
Rhymes with FAIN
ain, Aisne, ane, Bain, bane, blain, brain, cane, chain, crane, deign, drain, fane, feign, gain, grain, Kane, lane, Lane, main, mane, pain, Paine, pane, plain, plane, quean, rain, reign, rein, sain, sane, seine, Seine, skein, Spain, sprain, stain, strain, swain, thane, thegn, train, twain, Twain, vain, vane, vein, wain, wane, Wayne
2fain
adverb
Definition of FAIN
1
: with pleasure : gladly <a speech of fire that fain would blaze — Michael Billington>
2
a : by preference <knew it, too, though he would fain not admit it publicly — John Lukacs> b : by desire <I would fain consult you — W. S. Gilbert>
First Known Use of FAIN
12th century
Related to FAIN
- Antonyms
- involuntarily, unwillingly
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