glee

¹ American  

[glee] / gli /

noun

1. open delight or pleasure; exultant joy; exultation.

   Synonyms:

   gaiety, joviality, mirth, hilarity, jollity, merriment

2. an unaccompanied part song for three or more voices, popular especially in the 18th century.

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glee ² American  

[glee] / gli /

verb (used without object)

1. to squint or look with one eye.

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noun

1. a squint.

2. an imperfect eye, especially one with a cast.

glee British  

/ ɡliː /

noun

1. great merriment or delight, often caused by someone else's misfortune

2. a type of song originating in 18th-century England, sung by three or more unaccompanied voices Compare madrigal

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Related Words

See mirth.

Etymology

Origin of glee¹

First recorded before 900; Middle English; Old English glēo; cognate with Old Norse glȳ; akin to glow

Origin of glee²

1250–1300; Middle English glien, gleen; perhaps < Scandinavian; compare Old Norse gljā to shine

Example Sentences

“No. I thought not,” Maude says, laughing with glee as the priest, Bible in hand, chases after her.

From Salon

“I’m sorry, but that job has been taken,” Maya-Jade said, not even bothering to hide her glee.

From Literature

He breathed out, a rough gasp of glee, and Christopher stepped back.

From Literature

Not the done thing, to shout that name with glee.

From Literature

"We don't want people relishing in glee at the tragedy of other people," she said.

From BBC

Related Words

• delight
• elation
• exhilaration
• exuberance
• joy
• pleasure
• verve