Synonyms glad
glad ▪ happy ▪ pleased ▪ delighted ▪ proud ▪ relieved ▪ thrilled
These words all describe people feeling happy about something that has happened or is going to happen.
glad not usually before noun happy about something or grateful for it:
He was glad he’d come.
She was glad when the meeting was over.
happy pleased about something nice that you have to do or something that has happened to somebody:
We are happy to announce the engagement of our daughter.
pleased not before noun happy about something that has happened or something that you have to do:
She was very pleased with her exam results.
You’re coming? I’m so pleased.
glad, happy or pleased?
Feeling pleased can suggest that you have judged somebody/​something and approve of them. Feeling glad can be more about feeling grateful for something. You cannot be ‘glad with somebody’: The boss should be glad with you. Happy can mean glad, pleased or satisfied.
delighted very pleased about something; very happy to do something; showing your delight:
I’m delighted at your news.
Delighted is often used to accept an invitation: ‘Can you stay for dinner?’ ‘I’d be delighted (to).’
proud pleased and satisfied about something that you own or have done, or are connected with:
proud parents
He was proud of himself for not giving up.
relieved feeling happy because something unpleasant has stopped or has not happened; showing this:
You’ll be relieved to know your jobs are safe.
thrilled not before noun (rather informal) extremely pleased and excited about something:
I was thrilled to be invited.
delighted or thrilled?
Thrilled may express a stronger feeling than delighted, but delighted can be made stronger with absolutely, more than or only too. Thrilled can be made negative and ironic with not exactly or less than: She was not exactly thrilled at the prospect of looking after her niece.
Patterns
glad/​happy/​pleased/​delighted/​relieved/​thrilled about something
pleased/​delighted/​relieved/​thrilled at something
glad/​happy/​pleased/​delighted/​thrilled for somebody
glad/​happy/​pleased/​delighted/​proud/​relieved/​thrilled that…/to see/​hear/​find/​know…
very glad/​happy/​pleased/​proud/​relieved
absolutely delighted/​thrilled