adjective

gleeful

/ˈɡliːfəl/ · say it: GLEE·fuhl

full of triumphant joy

In Emotions & Moods

In more detail

feeling or showing great joy and happiness, often in a way that seems excessive or inappropriate to others

Examples

The children were gleeful when they learned school was canceled due to snow.

How to use gleeful

Gleeful describes intense, often obvious joy that may strike observers as excessive or even malicious. It carries a slightly negative undertone suggesting schadenfreude or childish exuberance, whereas 'delighted' or 'joyful' are more neutral. Use it when the happiness seems unrestrained, conspicuous, or tinged with taking pleasure in others' misfortune.

Common phrases

gleeful laughter
gleeful expression
gleeful anticipation
gleeful abandon
gleeful child

Synonyms

delighted · joyful · exultant · elated · ecstatic

Opposites

sorrowful · miserable · dejected

Word family

gleefully (adverb) · gleefulness (noun)

A common mistake

Learners sometimes use gleeful for simple contentment or mild pleasure, but it should be reserved for notably intense or exaggerated joy.

Learn it for good

Save this word in WordVale and it comes back for review right before you'd forget it — with pronunciation, real examples, and optional translations. One purchase, no subscription.

Get WordValeFREE 7-DAY TRIAL · iPHONE & iPAD