gladden
Americanverb (used with object)
verb (used without object)
verb
Related Words
See cheer.
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of gladden
Middle English word dating back to 1250–1300; see origin at glad 1, -en 1
Explanation
To gladden is to make someone happy by delighting them or cheering them up. It will gladden your heart to finally find your lost dog. The verb gladden means "to make glad," from the Old English glæd, "bright, shining, gleaming" and also "joyous." So when something gladdens you, like running into your beloved kindergarten teacher, it brightens your whole day. Before the early 14th century, people used the word glad as a verb instead, as in: "It glads my ears to hear such beautiful music."
Vocabulary lists containing gladden
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Norman was tasked with far more responsibility than Gladden had been, Eisenberg added, and yet he rose to every challenge they primed him for.
From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 20, 2026
Curtis Gladden, who is in La Vall D'Uixo, about 30 miles from Valencia, said it was "scary" as he struggled to get updates about what was happening.
From BBC • Apr. 28, 2025
Regardless, Gladden naturally did the right thing every time.
From Salon • Jan. 21, 2025
Mr Gladden died at home earlier on Wednesday.
From BBC • Apr. 24, 2024
In the midst of her reflections, Lyle entered the room, and Miss Gladden saw there were still traces of trouble in her face.
From The Award of Justice Or, Told in the Rockies A Pen Picture of the West by Barbour, A. Maynard (Anna Maynard)
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
