schadenfreude

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   Malicious enjoyment derived from observing someone else's misfortune.

   But it is Schadenfreude, a mischievous delight in the misfortunes of others, which remains the worst trait in human nature.

An unadapted borrowing from German Schadenfreude (“joy in the misfortune of others”), from Schaden (“damage, misfortune”) + Freude (“joy”). The word gained popularity in English in the late 20th c. and likely entered mainstream usage through an episode of The Simpsons (more in citations).

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