Join Us On

An Encyclopædia Britannica Company

Dictionary

Thesaurus

Medical

Scrabble^®

Spanish Central

Browse Dictionary Browse Thesaurus

Get our free apps!iPhone•iPad•Android

Dictionary

gladden

verb glad·den \ˈgla-d^ən\

: to make (someone) glad

glad·denedglad·den·ing \ˈgla-d^ən-iŋ\

Full Definition of GLADDEN

intransitive verb

archaic

: to be glad

transitive verb

: to make glad

See gladden defined for English-language learners

See gladden defined for kids

First Known Use of GLADDEN

13th century

Related to GLADDEN

Synonyms: agree (with), content, delight, feast, gas [slang], glad [archaic], please, gratify, pleasure, rejoice, satisfy, suit, warm

Antonyms: displease

Rhymes with GLADDEN

Fadden, madden, sadden

GLADDEN Defined for Kids

gladden

verb glad·den \ˈgla-d^ən\

glad·denedglad·den·ing

Definition of GLADDEN for Kids

: to make glad <… Matthias saw a sight that gladdened his heart. — Brian Jacques, Redwall>

Learn More About GLADDEN

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for "gladden"

Spanish Central: Spanish translation of "gladden"

Nglish: Translation of "gladden" for Spanish speakers

Britannica English: Translation of "gladden" for Arabic speakers

Browse

Next Word in the Dictionary: gladdonPrevious Word in the Dictionary: glad All Words Near: gladden

Seen & Heard

What made you want to look up gladden? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

View Seen & Heard Highlights from Around the Site

Test Your Vocabulary!

10 Charming Words for Nasty People

Put-downs with flair

Learn More

When "Literally" isn't, well, literal

How to use a word that (literally) drives some people nuts.

Watch Now

Know what this is?

Test your vocab with our fun, fast game

Go Play

Fear of cats?

Ailurophobia, and 9 other unusual fears

Learn More

Join Us

Merriam-Webster
on Facebook

Merriam-Webster
on Twitter

Bookstore: Digital and Print

Merriam-Webster references for Mobile, Kindle, print, and more.

See All

Other Merriam-Webster Dictionaries