readiness

readiness — noun

1. the quality of being well prepared and willing to act when circumstances require

1.nounB2
Definition

the quality of being well prepared and willing to act when circumstances require it

Example

The school kept fire extinguishers in readiness for emergencies.

collocation: in readiness for

Darius showed great readiness to help his classmates with their math homework.

readiness + to-infinitive for willingness

Common collocations
  • in readiness for
  • readiness to + verb
  • state of readiness
  • level of readiness
  • combat readiness
  • operational readiness
Synonyms
  • preparedness

    focuses on training and equipment rather than willingness; common in military and emergency contexts

  • willingness

    emphasises voluntary consent or eagerness, not preparation

  • eagerness

    implies enthusiasm and strong desire, stronger in tone than readiness

Antonyms

Grammar Patterns

readiness + to-infinitive

in readiness for + noun phrase

readiness + of + noun phrase

Usage Note

Readiness is an uncountable noun and has no plural form. It can express either a state of being prepared (in readiness for) or a willingness (readiness + to-infinitive), depending on the context.

Common Mistakes

I have a readiness for the exam.
I am ready for the exam.
Readiness is an uncountable noun and sounds unnatural in simple adjective contexts where ready is more natural.
The soldiers showed great readinesses.
The soldiers showed great readiness.
Readiness has no plural form.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

Readiness is the broadest of these four, covering both being prepared and being willing. Preparedness focuses narrowly on training, supplies, and logistics — you hear it in military or disaster planning contexts. Willingness is only about consent or attitude, with no implication of being equipped or trained. Eagerness adds enthusiasm and a strong desire to begin, making it warmer and more personal. Alacrity is a more formal word that suggests cheerful, brisk willingness — it appears in writing more than speech. A commander might praise a unit's readiness and preparedness, while a manager might thank an employee for their willingness or eagerness to take on extra work.

preparednesswillingness ↗eagernessalacrity

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

  • in readiness for
  • state of readiness
  • combat readiness
  • readiness to serve
  • readiness to accept

Prepositions

Etymology

Old EnglishMiddle EnglishEnglish

Readiness comes from the adjective ready (from Old English ræde, meaning 'prepared, prompt') combined with the noun-forming suffix -ness, which turns adjectives into nouns describing a state or quality. The word has been used since the Middle English period.