Gleeful
adj.joyful, energeticplayful
What it means
Full of lively, openly expressed delight.
Reach for it when describing exuberant amusement while checking that nobody else's loss is the source
A gleeful group of children raced toward the reopened fountain.
Choose between these
7- playful
informal amusement at a charming detail is the point
not when Tickled is quieter and can sound dated outside casual speech.
- everyday
deep positive feeling matters more than playful expression
not when Joyful can be solemn or tender, while gleeful is visibly animated.
- warm
steady good spirits define a person's manner
not when Cheerful is milder and does not convey a burst of delight.
- warm
a specific welcome event produces strong pleasure
not when Delighted is more composed and lacks gleeful's lively, almost childlike energy.
- professional
success and pride are more important than amusement
not when Triumphant can make another person's defeat central and may feel boastful.
- formal
victory or long-awaited success prompts public rejoicing
not when Jubilant is too grand for playful amusement at a small surprise.
- literary
social laughter and festivity suit a traditional tone
not when Merry sounds seasonal or old-fashioned in many modern contexts.
Said against
3- gloomy
- miserable
- crestfallen
It naturally appears in
3- gleeful smile
A gleeful smile appeared when the model bridge held its load.
- gleeful children
Gleeful children followed the brass band into the square.
- gleeful anticipation
Gleeful anticipation spread as the curtain began to rise.
The word family
2Where this comes from
Gleeful can imply satisfaction at another person's embarrassment or defeat. Context determines whether it remains positive.
- Wiktionary, English adjective sense: filled with high-spirited delight opens in a new tab · retrieved 2026-07-26
The definition and the example on this page are written here. The dictionaries above ground which meaning is being described, not the wording.