gleeful

[ glee-fuhl ]

adjective

1. full of exultant joy; merry; delighted.

gleeful

/ ˈɡliːfʊl /

adjective

1. full of glee; merry

Derived Forms

• ˈgleefully, adverb
• ˈgleefulness, noun

Other Words From

• glee·ful·ly adverb
• glee·ful·ness noun
• un·glee·ful adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of gleeful¹

First recorded in 1580–90; glee ¹ + -ful

Example Sentences

He was almost gleeful or somehow found the situation humorous.

From Salon

So do comedians like Jimmy Kimmel, whose roving segments regularly entertain the audience with gleeful reminders of how little the public knows about . . . everything.

From Salon

Several Russian officials were openly gleeful about Harris’ loss, prematurely celebrating the end of America’s aid to Ukraine.

From Salon

It was clear from overheard conversations that Trump’s acolytes were gleeful at the prospect of inconveniencing the Democratic residents of New York.

From Salon

Empowered by his own hubris, Trump builds and borrows and beds with impunity — all with a freewheeling sense of gleeful combativeness.

From Los Angeles Times