Gladnesses

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A state of being pleased or joyful, often associated with feelings of delight and cheerfulness
2. Various instances or expressions of happiness that bring comfort and satisfaction to oneself or others
3. An emotion reflecting a sense of contentment and pleasure that can be experienced in different contexts

Etymology: "Gladnesses" is the plural of "gladness," so it is the form used when speaking of several separate instances of joy. "Gladness" itself is a noun built from the adjective "glad" plus the suffix "-ness," which turns a quality into a noun. "Glad" comes from Old English "glæd," meaning bright, shining, or cheerful, and it kept that sense of brightness for centuries before narrowing toward pleasure and happiness.

Synonyms: happiness, joy, delight

Antonyms: sadness, sorrow