adj · name · noun · verb · 10 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot
Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.
Sound
Pronunciation
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General-American, Received-Pronunciation:/ɡlæd/
US:Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
British, Southern, Standard:/ɡlad/
British, Southern, Standard:/ɡlaːd/bad–lad split
SSBRecorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
Australian:/ɡlæːd/
New-Zealand:/ɡlɛd/
Northern-England, Scotland, Wales:/ɡlad/
/ˈɡlɛəd/New York City, New Orleans, Philadelphia, Baltimore
rhymes with -æd
homophone: GLAAD
CMU ARPABET:G L AE1 D
Digits mark lexical stress: 1 primary, 2 secondary, 0 unstressed.
1
adj
Meaning 1
Pleased; happy; gratified.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: predicative, usually
Examples
I'm glad the rain has finally stopped.
I'm always glad to be of service.
I was glad of receiving the tent in time for the camping trip.
I am glad of you. And so I have been since our first encounter.
I'm very glad at this decision because we'd been on the ropes for a while.
I am happy and glad at your success.
Every day I feel glad about the life I am living.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
2
adj
Meaning 2
Having a bright or cheerful appearance; expressing or exciting joy; producing gladness.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: obsolete, predicative, usually
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
3
name
Meaning 3
A diminutive of the female given name Gladys.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
4
noun
Meaning 4
A gladiolus (plant).
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: informal, predicative, usually
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
5
verb
Meaning 5
To make glad.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: archaic, predicative, transitive, usually
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: cheer up, gladden, exhilarate
Antonyms: none provided
6
adjective
Meaning 6
showing or causing joy and pleasure; especially made happy
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
Examples
glad you are here
glad that they succeeded
gave a glad shout
a glad smile
heard the glad news
a glad occasion
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: sad
7
adjective satellite
Meaning 7
cheerful and bright
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
Examples
a beaming smile
a glad May morning
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: beaming
Antonyms: none provided
8
adjective satellite
Meaning 8
feeling happy appreciation
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
Examples
glad of the fire's warmth
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
9
adjective satellite
Meaning 9
eagerly disposed to act or to be of service
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
Examples
glad to help
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: happy
Antonyms: none provided
10
noun
Meaning 10
any of numerous plants of the genus Gladiolus native chiefly to tropical and South Africa having sword-shaped leaves and one-sided spikes of brightly colored funnel-shaped flowers; widely cultivated
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: gladiolus, gladiola, sword lily
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: iridaceous plant
History
Etymology
From Middle English glad, gled, from Old English glæd (“shining; bright; cheerful; glad”), from Proto-Germanic *gladaz (“shiny; gleaming; radiant; happy; glossy; smooth; flat”), from Proto-Indo-European *ghladh-, from *ǵhelh2- (“to shine”). Cognate with Scots gled, glaid (“shining; bright; glad”), Saterland Frisian glääd (“smooth; sleek”), West Frisian glêd (“smooth”), Dutch glad (“smooth; sleek; slippery”), German glatt (“smooth; sleek; slippery”), Danish, Norwegian and Swedish glad (“glad; happy; cheerful”), Icelandic glaður (“glad; joyful; cheery”), Latin glaber (“smooth; hairless; bald”), Russian гла́дкий (gládkij, “smooth”). Doublet of glatt.
Abbreviation of gladiolus.
Across languages
Translations
125 source translations are retained for this English entry.
