noun

glee

GLEE/ɡliː/

Great delight or lively joy.

The man laughs with glee as his playful dog leaps toward him.

A middle-aged man bursts into delighted laughter as his playful dog leaps toward him, his raised hands and buoyant posture conveying exuberant joy.

Etymology

gleeOld Englishentertainment; mirth; music

Gliu joined mirth with entertainment, often involving music. Today's glee retains the joyful feeling already present in that older association with play and amusement.

In context

San Francisco Public Library66:15

I feel Glee like a child reunited with a long lost playmate

Panel: Pinay Lit

More examples

She takes obvious glee in proving her brother wrong.
He can barely contain his glee at the unexpected bonus.
To our glee, the teacher cancels today's quiz.

Forms

gleeful adjective — Feeling or showing great delight.

gleefully adverb — With great delight or lively joy.

Similar words

delight: Great pleasure that need not be lively or exuberant.
joy: Broader happiness that can be quiet, deep, or lasting.
elation: An elevated feeling of happiness, especially after success.