glee

noun

ˈglē How to pronounce glee (audio)
Synonyms of gleenext
1
: exultant high-spirited joy : merriment
dancing with glee
2
: a part-song for usually male voices

Synonyms

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Examples of glee in a Sentence

They were dancing with glee. He could hardly contain his glee over his victory.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Mulligan was also happy to recount her affection for some of her other co-stars, ticking through them with glee. — Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 19 Mar. 2025 Chinese state media has reacted with glee as President Donald Trump dismantles Voice of America (VOA). — Dan Perry, Newsweek, 18 Mar. 2025 News of the first round of talks between Russia and the United States in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday sent many Russians into a state of glee, and anticipation, that the hardships of war, and the shunning of Russia by much of the world, might soon end. — Alina Lobzina, New York Times, 19 Feb. 2025 Trump and Vance, in one fell swoop, managed to embolden our adversaries (not just Russia — all of them watched this spectacle with glee) and alienate our staunch European allies. — Tom Zirpoli, Baltimore Sun, 11 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for glee

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Old English glēo entertainment, music; akin to Old Norse glȳ joy, and perhaps to Greek chleuē joke

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of glee was before the 12th century

Phrases Containing glee

Rhymes for glee

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Browse Nearby Words

Gleditsia
glee
glee club
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Cite this Entry

“Glee.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/glee. Accessed 29 Mar. 2025.

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Kids Definition

glee

noun
ˈglē How to pronounce glee (audio)
1
: high-spirited joy
2
: an unaccompanied song for three or more voices
gleeful
-fəl
adjective
gleefully
-fə-lē
adverb
gleefulness noun

More from Merriam-Webster on glee

Nglish: Translation of glee for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about glee

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