Gleeful
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.
Words to choose between 7
| playful |
|
|---|---|
| everyday | |
| warm | |
| professional | |
| formal | |
| literary |
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playful
Fits when informal amusement at a charming detail is the point
Careful Tickled is quieter and can sound dated outside casual speech.
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everyday
Fits when deep positive feeling matters more than playful expression
Careful Joyful can be solemn or tender, while gleeful is visibly animated.
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warm
Fits when steady good spirits define a person's manner
Careful Cheerful is milder and does not convey a burst of delight.
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warm
Fits when a specific welcome event produces strong pleasure
Careful Delighted is more composed and lacks gleeful's lively, almost childlike energy.
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professional
Fits when success and pride are more important than amusement
Careful Triumphant can make another person's defeat central and may feel boastful.
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formal
Fits when victory or long-awaited success prompts public rejoicing
Careful Jubilant is too grand for playful amusement at a small surprise.
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literary
Fits when social laughter and festivity suit a traditional tone
Careful Merry sounds seasonal or old-fashioned in many modern contexts.
Opposites 3
- gloomy
- miserable
- crestfallen
Common phrases 3
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gleeful smile
A gleeful smile appeared when the model bridge held its load.
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gleeful children
Gleeful children followed the brass band into the square.
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gleeful anticipation
Gleeful anticipation spread as the curtain began to rise.
Word family 2
Usage notes
Keep in mind
Gleeful can imply satisfaction at another person's embarrassment or defeat. Context determines whether it remains positive.
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