gleeful

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "gleeful" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a feeling of joy or delight, often in a playful or mischievous context. Example: "The children were gleeful as they ran through the park, laughing and playing together."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He was the thorn in everyone's side, the gleeful imp who was just there to cause trouble.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Party boss Mitchell McLaughlin rubs his hands in gleeful speculation on the significances of a statistical forecast that Catholics will be in an NI majority within two decades.

The Guardian

In honour of Verdi's and Shakespeare's "globe of impurity", the magnificently gluttonous Sir John Falstaff (sung and acted with brilliant, gleeful energy and insight by Johanthan Veira), I enjoyed a San Miguel during act two's shenanigans, as Ford and the Merry Wives end up dumping Sir John in the Thames.

The Guardian - Music

"Marriage works," wrote the gleeful Scot on the courtside camera moments after Nadal had sent yet another woeful forehand into the bottom of the net on match point.

The Guardian - Sport

Gleeful Israeli soldiers say that their co-ordination with their Egyptian counterparts at the border is better than under Hosni Mubarak's old regime.In desperation, some Hamas men are looking to Israel to let Gaza freely export its produce, reopen its port, and allow its businessmen and labourers to cross the buffer zone, as they did before Hamas took over in 2007.

The Economist

Though British Conservatives are less gleeful about the euro crisis than they were a year ago, a sense of vindication informs talk of European irrelevance.That threatens their sense of perspective.

The Economist

The effect is gleeful, even a touch surreal, which is apt given that these spot paintings are all named after drugs.The centrepiece of this show is the artist's notorious diamond skull, "For the Love of God".

The Economist

But it is now enmeshed in what its gleeful opponents are calling the biggest scandal in modern Canadian history.

The Economist

In fact, there has been a curiously gleeful tone to much of the European public's reception of America's spying on their leaders.

The Economist

The public is solidly in favour of the cards (though support slips when people are told they will have to pay extra for them), and many Labour MPs are gleeful at having forced their opponents on to what they are sure is the wrong side of the argument.

The Economist

In reality, the Duma's obstruction would be motivated largely by the gleeful prospect of disorder.Then what?

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "gleeful", ensure the context aligns with the connotation of exuberant and often mischievous joy. Consider if a more neutral term like "joyful" or "delighted" might be more appropriate if the situation is serious.

Common error

Avoid using "gleeful" in contexts where a more solemn or respectful tone is required. The word carries a sense of lightheartedness that can be inappropriate in serious situations.

Linguistic Context

The adjective "gleeful" primarily functions as a descriptive word, modifying nouns to indicate a state of exuberant joy. Ludwig provides examples of its use in contexts ranging from describing behavior to emotional states. It paints a picture of overt happiness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Formal & Business

1%

Science

1%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "gleeful" is a grammatically sound and frequently used adjective that denotes exuberant and often mischievous joy. As Ludwig AI confirms, the word is correctly used to describe a state of intense happiness, particularly in News & Media contexts. While "gleeful" is a common expression of happiness, it should be avoided in formal contexts where a more neutral tone is preferred. If "gleeful" doesn't quite fit, consider alternatives like "joyful" or "elated".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

joyful

A general term for feeling or expressing great happiness; less intense than "gleeful".

delighted

Signifies great pleasure and satisfaction; similar in tone to "gleeful" but can be milder.

elated

Suggests a high degree of happiness, often due to a specific event or achievement; shares intensity with "gleeful".

exuberant

Implies overflowing enthusiasm and excitement; similar in intensity but broader in expression than "gleeful".

overjoyed

Expresses extreme happiness and delight; more intense and overwhelming than "gleeful".

triumphant

Expresses joy specifically related to victory or success; more specific than "gleeful".

exhilarated

Indicates a feeling of excitement and invigoration; more energetic than "gleeful".

merry

Suggests cheerfulness and festivity; similar to "gleeful" but more traditional and often associated with holidays.

jovial

Implies a cheerful and friendly disposition; shares the positive connotation with "gleeful" but focuses on character.

blithe

Suggests a carefree and lighthearted happiness; similar to "gleeful" but with an added sense of nonchalance.

FAQs

How to use "gleeful" in a sentence?

You can use "gleeful" to describe someone who is feeling or expressing great joy or delight, often in a way that is playful or mischievous. For example: "The children were "gleeful" as they opened their presents."

What can I say instead of "gleeful"?

You can use alternatives like "joyful", "elated", or "delighted" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "gleeful" or "full of glee"?

Both ""gleeful"" and "full of glee" are correct, but ""gleeful"" is a more concise and commonly used adjective.

What's the difference between "gleeful" and "happy"?

"Gleeful" implies a more exuberant and often mischievous joy, while "happy" is a more general term for feeling pleasure or contentment.