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gleeful

/ˈɡliːfəl/adjective

Full of open, excited delight, often at a victory or someone else's misfortune.

Example sentences

  • “The children let out gleeful shouts when school was canceled for snow.”
  • “With a gleeful grin, he showed us the winning lottery ticket.”

Watch the edge: gleeful delight often comes at someone's expense, which is why reports speak of gleeful mockery. 'Joyful' is the innocent alternative.

Featured as word of the day on March 9, 2026.

Synonyms for gleeful

Antonyms

  • glum
  • sad

Find it in: Positive words.

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