Definition

1. Verb (transitive):

   • To cause someone to become glad, happy, or pleased; to give joy or pleasure to.
   • To make a situation or atmosphere more cheerful or joyful.

2. Verb (intransitive, less common):

   • To become glad or happy.

Usage

• Transitive Verb (most common): The word "gladden" is used with a direct object—the person or thing that is made happy. It is a formal or literary synonym for "please" or "delight."
• Intransitive Verb: This usage is rare and often sounds archaic or poetic. It describes the subject's own emotional shift towards gladness.

Examples

• Transitive Verb:

  • The news of her safe return will gladden the hearts of her family.
  • It gladdens me to see you so successful.
  • The sight of spring flowers gladdened the old man's spirit.

• Intransitive Verb (rare):

  • My heart gladdens at the thought of your visit. (Poetic/archaic)

Advanced Usage

• "To gladden the heart": A common collocation meaning to make someone very happy, often used in formal or emotional contexts.

  • His generous donation gladdened the hearts of all the charity workers.

• Used in passive constructions: Often used to describe a state of being pleased.

  • We were gladdened by the show of support from the community.

Variants and Related Words

• Glad (adjective): Feeling pleasure or happiness.
  • I am glad you could come.
• Gladly (adverb): With pleasure; willingly.
  • I would gladly help you.
• Gladness (noun): The state or feeling of being glad.
  • Her face was filled with gladness.

Synonyms

• Delight: To give great pleasure or satisfaction.
• Please: To cause satisfaction or pleasure.
• Cheer: To make or become happier or more cheerful.
• Heart-en: To make someone feel happier (similar, less common).

Antonyms

• Sadden: To cause to become sad.
• Depress: To make someone feel utterly dispirited or dejected.
• Displease: To cause annoyance or dissatisfaction.

Notes on Usage

• Register: "Gladden" is more formal and less frequent in everyday conversation than words like "please" or "make happy." It is often found in written English, literature, or formal speeches.
• Emotional Weight: It often conveys a deep, heartfelt, or sincere kind of happiness, not just mild pleasure.

Verb

1. become glad or happy
2. make glad or happy