Would you mind sharing your opinion on this word? Schadenfreude is a German word that means "pleasure derived from the misfortune of others." It is a compound of the words Schaden (damage, harm) and Freude (joy). The word was first used in the 18th century and has since become a part of the English language. Examples of Schadenfreude Watching a rival sports team lose. Seeing someone slip and fall. Hearing about someone getting fired from their job. Reading about a celebrity's downfall. Follow us