Glee
What it means
Lively delight that is difficult to keep hidden.
Reach for it when describing open, energetic happiness, often at a welcome surprise
The children shouted with glee when the first duckling reached the pond.
Words to choose between 8
| playful |
|
|---|---|
| everyday | |
| warm | |
| formal | |
| literary |
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everyday
Fits when pleasure arises from a particular discovery or event
Careful Delight can be refined and restrained rather than gleeful.
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everyday
Fits when high energy and anticipation matter more than happiness
Careful Excitement can come from fear or tension and need not be joyful.
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warm
Fits when general good spirits should feel wholesome and steady
Careful Cheer lacks the mischievous or bursting quality of glee.
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warm
Fits when the positive feeling may be deep as well as lively
Careful Joy may be quiet or inward, unlike visibly exuberant glee.
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formal
Fits when success produces an intense emotional high
Careful Elation is grander and more sustained than a burst of glee.
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formal
Fits when the happiness is actively expressed after good news
Careful Rejoicing can carry ceremonial or religious weight.
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literary
Fits when public celebration follows a major victory
Careful It is excessive for a small private pleasure.
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literary
Fits when shared laughter and festivity create the mood
Careful Merriment describes a social atmosphere, not one person's delighted reaction.
Opposites 3
- sorrow
- gloom
- disappointment
Common phrases 3
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shout with glee
The class began to shout with glee when the robot finally moved.
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childlike glee
He opened the box of old photographs with childlike glee.
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barely concealed glee
Her barely concealed glee gave away the surprise.
Definitions and examples are written for this site. How words are chosen Recording: Vealhurl, Southern England accent, from Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 Updated