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The children were gleeful when the snow day was announced.
What does Gleeful mean?
Gleeful means very happy in a bright, excited, or playful way.
Dictionary definition
Very happy in a bright, excited, or playful way.
Example sentences
Gleeful in a sentence
Writing practice
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Quick practice
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Practice the meaning of Gleeful
Answer three quick questions about its meaning and related words.
Question 1 of 3
Practice 1
What does gleeful mean?
Gleeful means very happy in a bright, excited, or playful way.
Practice 2
Which word is closest in meaning to gleeful?
Joyful is close in meaning to gleeful.
Practice 3
Which sentence best shows the meaning of gleeful?
This sentence gives clues that show what gleeful means.
Practice complete
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Pronunciation coach
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Gleeful
Voice settings
Sounds like
glee · ful · strongest beat: glee
Tap each sound part, then blend the whole word together.
Learn
WordGleeful.
Partadjective.
MeaningGleeful means very happy in a bright, excited, or playful way.
ExampleExample: The children were gleeful when the snow day was announced.
Word breakdown
2 syllables. Say each part, then blend the word.
- Syllables
- glee · ful
- Strongest beat
- glee
- Ending
- ful
- Tip
- Put a little extra energy on glee.
Your turn
Say Gleeful
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Synonyms
Words like Gleeful
joyfulUse when someone shows a bright happy feeling.
Antonyms
Opposite words
gloomyUse when someone feels sad or dark in mood.
Synonym practice
Want to practice gleeful synonyms in context? Try a Synonym Search question like "The gleeful children laughed during the game," then compare close word choices. Practice gleeful synonyms.
Word family
Gleeful word family
Base word
glee
adverb
gleefully
In a very happy or excited way.
Related words
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Student support
Understand Gleeful
Hint for students
Look for clues that show playful joy or bright excitement.
Common mix-up
Gleeful is stronger and more playful than simply glad.
Try it in class or at home
Read the model sentence and underline the clue words that show the feeling or trait. Then write a new sentence that shows gleeful without using the word gleeful.
Teacher prompt
Ask students to explain this model sentence: "The children were gleeful when the snow day was announced." What clues show what gleeful means?
Word category
Explore more feelings words
This word is part of WordHive's feelings words collection. Browse more emotion words, compare close meanings, and practice using them in sentences.
Learning activities
Practice Gleeful and explore more word games
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Synonym Search
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