top definitions
quizzes
examples
explore dictionary
british

schadenfreude

[ shahd-n-froi-duh ]

/ ˈʃɑd nˌfrɔɪ də /

noun

satisfaction or pleasure felt at someone else's misfortune.

VIDEO FOR SCHADENFREUDE

WATCH NOW: Can You Say These Words That Are Really Hard To Pronounce?

We found some of the hardest words to pronounce in the dictionary. Do you know the correct way to say them?

MORE VIDEOS FROM DICTIONARY.COM

QUIZZES

HEED THE VOX POPULI, AND TAKE THIS WORD OF THE DAY QUIZ!

Test your memory on these verbal firecrackers from the week of June 29 to July 5!

Question 1 of 7

anchorite

a granular metamorphic rock.

a person who has retired to a solitary place for a life of religious seclusion.

a hobble or fetter for a horse or other animal.

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of schadenfreude

1890–95; < German, equivalent to Schaden harm + Freude joy

Words nearby schadenfreude

scfm, scg, sch., sch.mus.b., schacht, schadenfreude, schaerbeek, schaerf, schafer method, schaffhausen, schafskopf

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Example sentences from the Web for schadenfreude

After having the issue taken away from them in 2012, their schadenfreude has been epic.
The Rhinohawks Come Roaring Back|James Poulos|September 7, 2014|DAILY BEAST
There was no shortage of schadenfreude, with Democrats joyfully noting just how dumb those silly, delusional Republicans were.
FiveThirtyHate: Dems Attack Nate Silver|Kristen Soltis Anderson|March 25, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Still, Clinton aides exulted in schadenfreude when their enemies faltered.
The Hillary-Haters’ Book Club Will Never Run Out of Things to Read|Michelle Cottle|January 15, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Across the aisle, France's majority Socialist Party has restrained its schadenfreude.
France’s Petty Politics Brings Christmas Early to Scandal Lovers|Tracy McNicoll|December 15, 2012|DAILY BEAST

Maybe if you stare long enough at the catastrophe, you might work through your schadenfreude to its opposite: empathy.
GOP Primaries Provide a Feast for Our Schadenfreude Appetite|Eric G. Wilson|January 19, 2012|DAILY BEAST
There is only one language in the world which has a word to express that type of mirth; the word is Schadenfreude.
Lord Tony's Wife|Baroness Emmuska Orczy
Bertha guesses its contents and revels in the luxury of pity and schadenfreude.
August Strindberg, the Spirit of Revolt|L. (Lizzy) Lind-af-Hageby
"I can easily believe you don't approve it," she said with a gleam of Schadenfreude.
The Messenger|Elizabeth Robins
The curious and expressive German word Schadenfreude cannot be translated into any other language.
German Problems and Personalities|Charles Sarolea
The word used means, like the German "Schadenfreude," rejoicing at another's injury.
Euripedes and His Age|Gilbert Murray

British Dictionary definitions for schadenfreude

Schadenfreude

/ German (ˈʃaːdənfrɔydə) /

noun

delight in another's misfortune

Word Origin for Schadenfreude

German: from Schaden harm + Freude joy

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Test Your Vocab Skills Now!