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 Word Forms

• 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

We are in an age of gleeful disruption, particularly as we witness Silicon Valley strategies and the tearing down of the federal government.

From Los Angeles Times

President Donald Trump has moved beyond "American carnage," leaving the nihilistic outlook of his first term behind in favor of gleeful bullying and childish name-calling.

From Salon

So, when the Trump administration arrived with its almost gleeful slash-and-burn crusade against the federal workforce, he was stunned and heartbroken to be swept up in it.

From Los Angeles Times

But one way to see it is as a series of gleeful violations of consent, courtesy of some of the worst people in the world.

From Salon

When he finally walked off after holing out to Archer, Abhishek's name echoed around the famous ground as a gleeful crowd celebrated a new hero.

From BBC