happiness

noun

hap·​pi·​ness ˈha-pē-nəs 

1

a

: a state of well-being and contentment : joy

b

: a pleasurable or satisfying experience

I wish you every happiness in life.

I had the happiness of seeing you

—W. S. Gilbert

2

: felicity, aptness

a striking happiness of expression

3

obsolete : good fortune : prosperity

All happiness bechance to thee …

—William Shakespeare

Synonyms of happiness

• joy
• bliss

Examples of happiness in a Sentence

They made a toast to long life and happiness.

her happiness was complete when she got her very own house

Recent Examples on the Web

And then also people moving on in life and having passion with one thing and thinking that maybe a change of venue or a change of environment may bring them happiness. — Matthew Carey, Deadline, 10 Sep. 2026

How WalletHub measured happiness WalletHub based the rankings on factors tied to overall quality of life, including health, finances, employment, safety, social connections and leisure time. — Anthony Thompson, USA Today, 9 Sep. 2026

Seehorn carried a heavy load as its lead, playing a sad, angry woman forced to save the world from happiness and the hive mind. — Glenn Whipp, Los Angeles Times, 9 Sep. 2026

But their happiness was soon overshadowed when his tiny body rejected food, with vomiting and diarrhea after every bottle, up to eight times a day. — Laura Sharman, CNN Money, 9 Sep. 2026

Word History

Etymology

see happy

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Rhymes for happiness

• unhappiness

Kids Definition

happiness

noun

hap·​pi·​ness ˈhap-i-nəs 

: a state of well-being and contentment : joy