glad
/ɡlæd/
adjective
Origin
Proto-Germanic
*gladaz — shining, bright, joyous
Overview
Meaning Now
- Feeling, showing, or expressing joy and pleasure; pleased.
- Willing or eager to do something.
- Bringing or causing joy or pleasure.
Literal older meaning
bright, shining, or joyous
Language path
Proto-Indo-European → Proto-Germanic → Old English → Modern English
Earliest form
glæd
Earliest period
Old English period
Journey
The word originally shared an etymological root with 'glitter' and 'gleam', linking the concept of happiness with physical radiance or brightness. In Old English, 'glæd' could refer to a person who was radiant in appearance, not just internally happy.
Evolution
- Proto-Indo-European
*ghel-
“to shine”
Root meaning related to light and radiance.
- Proto-Germanic
*gladaz
“smooth, shining, bright”
Transition from light to quality of temperament.
- Old English
glæd
“bright, shining, joyous, kind”
Used to describe both physical appearance and internal state.
- Middle English
glad
“happy, pleased, cheerful”
Semantic narrowing to primarily emotional states.
Connections
Word parts
glad
root
joyous
Related across languages
Old Norse
glaðr
bright, glad
German
glatt
smooth
Dutch
slippery
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Related to glad
External references use DefinedTerm semantics.