Spanish word

alegrar

Pronunciation

IPA/aleˈɣɾaɾ/

Meaning

  • verbmake happy

Example

La noticia alegró a toda la familia.

The news made the whole family happy.

Illustration for alegrar (make happy)

More examples

Una pequeña sorpresa siempre puede alegrar el día.

A small surprise can always brighten the day.

Core concept

A person's face brightening at good news.

Common phrases

  • alegrar a alguien

    make someone happy

  • alegrar el día

    brighten the day

  • alegrar la vida

    make life enjoyable

Similar words

alegrarse: Becomes happy, with mood or expression brightening.
animar: Raises someone's spirits and boosts their motivation.
contentar: Satisfies someone's wishes or expectations, leaving them pleased.
emocionar: Elicits a deep, stirring emotional response.

Definition in Spanish

Hacer que alguien esté contento o más animado.

Word origin

The verb comes from the adjective alegre, formed in medieval Spanish and ultimately from Latin alacer/alacris meaning lively.

Usage tips

  • Transitive use often requires a before the person (alegrar a alguien), and the verb commonly takes inanimate causes such as news or gifts, unlike the reflexive alegrarse.

Other meanings

  • cheer upverb
  • make enjoyableverb

Opposites

Related words

  • alegríahappinessnoun
  • alegrecheerfuladjective
  • alegrementecheerfullyadverb

Word lists with this word