glad

1 of 3

adjective

gladder; gladdest
Synonyms of gladnext
1
a
: experiencing pleasure, joy, or delight : made happy
b
: very willing
glad to do it
c
: made pleased, satisfied, or grateful
often used with of
was glad of their help
2
a
: marked by, expressive of, or caused by happiness and joy
a glad shout
b
: causing happiness and joy : pleasant
glad tidings
3
: full of brightness and cheerfulness
a glad spring morning
4
archaic : having a cheerful or happy disposition by nature
gladly adverb
gladness noun

glad

2 of 3

verb

gladded; gladding
archaic

glad

3 of 3

noun

Examples of glad in a Sentence

Adjective We're glad you could come. I'll be glad to answer any questions you may have. The mail brought glad news from our friends in England. We've been through some sad times and some glad times. Verb it hath gladded my heart to see thy face again
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Adjective
While the Giants struggled in their home opener, many of the fans were just glad to be back at the ballpark to watch their favorite team. Andrea Nakano, CBS News, 26 Mar. 2026 Nova senior Jayla Huntley-Murphy, 18, was glad that all of her classmates can enjoy the prom without having to worry about the cost. Alie Skowronski, Miami Herald, 26 Mar. 2026
Verb
More:Stellantis dealers glad Tavares is out, but now concern grows for the future Contact Jamie L. LaReau: jlareau@freepress.com. Jamie L. Lareau, Detroit Free Press, 2 Dec. 2024
Noun
As EPs, celebrities might do anything from simply slapping their name on a poster to glad-handing for an awards campaign to getting deeply involved in production. Katie Kilkenny, HollywoodReporter, 16 Oct. 2025 His latest project is the Temple Grove, a wildly beautiful corner of the garden in a glads of high trees. Town & Country, 28 Apr. 2023 See All Example Sentences for glad

Word History

Etymology

Adjective and Verb

Middle English, shining, glad, from Old English glæd; akin to Old High German glat shining, smooth, Latin glaber smooth, bald

First Known Use

Adjective

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 4

Verb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1923, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of glad was before the 12th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Glad.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/glad. Accessed 27 Mar. 2026.

Kids Definition

glad

adjective
ˈglad
gladder; gladdest
1
a
: experiencing pleasure, joy, or delight : made happy
glad things turned out well
b
: made pleased, satisfied, or grateful
was glad of their help
c
: very willing
glad to do it
2
a
: marked by, expressive of, or caused by happiness
a glad shout
b
: causing happiness and joy : pleasant
glad tidings
3
: full of brightness and cheerfulness
a glad spring morning
gladly adverb
gladness noun

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