Glad Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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glad

[É¡lad ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Adjective

feeling

Feeling pleased and happy about something

Synonyms

delighted, happy, joyful, pleased.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
glad

Used in everyday situations to express moderate happiness or relief.

  • I'm glad to see you
  • I'm glad the weather is nice today
happy

A versatile word that can be used in most situations to express a general sense of happiness.

  • I'm happy you came to the party
  • They've been happy together for years
pleased

Typically used in polite or formal contexts to express satisfaction or contentment.

  • I'm pleased with the progress we've made
  • He was pleased with the results of the test
delighted

Used in more formal or enthusiastic situations to express strong happiness.

  • She was delighted with her birthday present
  • We are delighted to announce the winner
joyful

Used in situations involving deep, often spiritual or emotional, happiness.

  • The atmosphere was joyful during the festival
  • She was joyful when she heard the good news

Examples of usage

  • I'm glad you could come.
  • She was glad when it was all over.
  • We're glad that you're feeling better now.
Context #2 | Adjective

expression

Used to show that you are pleased about something or happy to do something

Synonyms

happy, pleased, willing.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
glad

Used to express a feeling of joy or relief. It is common in casual conversations and has a warm, friendly connotation.

  • I'm glad you could make it to the party.
  • She was glad to hear the good news.
willing

Expresses readiness or eagerness to do something. It often involves an action or offer and has a more specific use than the other words listed.

  • I'm willing to help you move this weekend.
  • She's willing to give it another try.
happy

A general term for a positive emotional state. It is very versatile and can be used in various formal and informal situations.

  • I'm so happy you passed the exam!
  • She feels happy when she is with her friends.
pleased

Indicates a sense of satisfaction or contentment, often used in more formal contexts or when referring to feelings about specific outcomes or actions.

  • We're pleased with the progress of the project.
  • I'm pleased to meet you.

Examples of usage

  • I'm glad to meet you.
  • We're glad to help.
Context #3 | Noun

expression

An expression of pleasure or approval

Synonyms

approval, delight, happiness.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
glad

Use 'glad' when you want to express a sense of relief or happiness about something that has happened.

  • I'm so glad you made it to the party!
  • She was glad to hear that he was feeling better.
approval

Use 'approval' when expressing that something is officially accepted or agreed upon, often in an authoritative or formal setting.

  • The project still needs approval from the board.
  • He looked at her for approval before he continued.
happiness

Use 'happiness' to describe a general state of well-being and contentment, often over a longer period.

  • Her happiness was evident as she walked down the aisle.
  • Everyone deserves a life filled with happiness.
delight

Use 'delight' to show a high level of joy and pleasure, often in response to something very pleasant or enjoyable.

  • The kids screamed with delight when they saw the fireworks.
  • It was a delight to watch her perform.

Examples of usage

  • She gave a small nod of glad.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Psychology

  • Studies show that feeling glad can trigger the release of dopamine, a chemical in our brains that makes us feel happy.
  • Expressing gladness can improve social connections and enhance relationships with others, fostering a sense of community.
  • Positive emotions like gladness can increase resilience and help individuals cope better with stressors in life.

Pop Culture

  • Many songs express the feeling of being glad or happy, becoming anthems for uplifting moments in people's lives.
  • In movies, characters often show their gladness dramatically, making it a relatable emotion that audiences connect with.
  • The use of 'glad' in social media posts often reflects personal achievements or joyful moments shared by friends.

Literature

  • Classic literature often uses the word 'glad' to evoke joy, as seen in many poems celebrating love and nature.
  • In children's books, characters that are glad often teach lessons about friendship and sharing positivity.
  • Writers frequently use the term 'glad' in contrast to sadness, highlighting the emotional spectrum of human experience.

History

  • The concept of gladness has been celebrated throughout history, from ancient festivals to modern celebrations of happiness.
  • Various cultures have rituals and traditions specifically designed to cultivate feelings of gladness and joy, like harvest festivals.
  • Throughout history, literature and art have depicted gladness as a vital emotional state, shaping how societies view happiness.

Origin of 'glad'

Main points about word origin

  • The word 'glad' comes from the Old English 'glæd,' meaning bright or shining, indicating a sense of joy.
  • Historically, 'glad' was often used to describe physical brightness or cheerfulness, linking it to light and happiness.
  • In various languages, similar words for 'glad' often relate to happiness or joy, showing a common human experience.

The word 'glad' originated from the Middle English word 'glade', which meant 'shining, gleaming, bright'. Over time, it evolved to represent the feeling of being pleased or happy about something. The word has been used in English literature since the 14th century, and its meaning has remained relatively consistent throughout history.


See also: gladden, glade.

Word Frequency Rank

At position #2,335, this word belongs to solid intermediate vocabulary. It's frequently used in both casual and formal contexts and is worth learning for better fluency.