happily

adverb

hap·​pi·​ly ˈha-pə-lē How to pronounce happily (audio)
1
a
: in a fortunate manner
b
: as it fortunately happens
happily, some boyhood pleasures don't changeP. A. Witteman
2
archaic : by chance
3
: in a happy manner or state
4
: in an adequate or fitting manner : successfully

Examples of happily in a Sentence

They have been happily married for 12 years. They lived happily ever after. We happily accept credit cards.
Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Claudia Alexander, a resident of Marin County, has been happily cooking for family and friends for more than three decades. Claudia Alexander, The Mercury News, 7 Nov. 2024 The Hamptons often makes headlines for its splashy, brand-new mansions with Himalayan salt rooms and bowling alleys in the basements, but some of the South Fork’s most impressive and coveted properties are much simpler, more free-spirited, and happily rooted in the past. Emma Reynolds, Robb Report, 5 Nov. 2024 And in order to build a future where humans can coexist happily, safely and in a state of well-being alongside humanoid robots, much has to be done. Amir Husain, Forbes, 4 Nov. 2024 His owner, Sam Spencer, 31, told Newsweek that the 8-year-old canine has always loved watching TV and will happily sit in front of the screen for around two hours. David Faris, Newsweek, 4 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for happily 

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of happily was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near happily

Cite this Entry

“Happily.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/happily. Accessed 16 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

happily

adverb
hap·​pi·​ly ˈhap-ə-lē How to pronounce happily (audio)
1
: in a fortunate or lucky manner
happily, no one was injured
2
: in a happy manner or state
lived happily ever after
3
: in a fitting, effective, or successful manner
remarks happily worded

More from Merriam-Webster on happily

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!