# gloat

/ˈɡɫoʊt/ (US) · /ɡlˈəʊt/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Verb

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/gloat
Updated: 2026-10-18

## Definition

to feel happy about someone else's bad luck or failure, and show it in an unkind way.

For teachers: to take visible delight in another person's misfortune or defeat, often with an air of triumph.

## Examples

- She gloats when her team wins the game.
- After winning the bet, he could not resist calling his brother to gloat about the final score.
- The losing candidate accused his rival of choosing to gloat in the victory speech rather than offering the customary gesture of reconciliation.

## Synonyms

Crow, exult

## Usage notes

- Intransitive; commonly followed by 'over', 'about', or 'at' to mark the source of satisfaction.

---

From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.