happily

hap·pi·ly

adverb \ˈha-pə-lē\

Definition of HAPPILY

1

a : in a fortunate manner

b : as it fortunately happens <happily, some boyhood pleasures don't change — P. A. Witteman>

2

archaic : by chance

3

: in a happy manner or state

4

: in an adequate or fitting manner : successfully

Examples of HAPPILY

1. They have been happily married for 12 years.
2. They lived happily ever after.
3. We happily accept credit cards.

First Known Use of HAPPILY

14th century

Related to HAPPILY

Synonyms

brightly, cheerfully, cheerily, gaily, heartily, jocosely, jovially, merrily, mirthfully, smilingly

Antonyms

bleakly, cheerlessly, darkly, heavily, miserably, morosely, unhappily

Related Words

amusedly, exuberantly, giddily, gigglingly, joyfully, joyously; blithely, blithesomely, breezily, gladly, gladsomely, laughingly, lightheartedly, sunnily; amicably, friendlily, friendly, good-humoredly, good-naturedly, jocularly; hopefully, optimistically, sanguinely; blissfully, elatedly, euphorically, rapturously

Near Antonyms

abjectly, dejectedly, despondently, disconsolately, dispiritedly, wretchedly; dolefully, dolorously, forlornly, mournfully, plaintively, sorrowfully; dourly, glumly, mirthlessly, sourly, sternly, sulkily, sullenly; blackly, dismally, drearily, gloomily, pessimistically

Rhymes with HAPPILY

scrappily, snappily