(many) happy returns
phrase
old-fashioned
—used for wishing someone a happy birthday and to express the hope that he or she will live to celebrate many more birthdays in the future
Cite this Entry
“(many) happy returns.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/%28many%29%20happy%20returns. Accessed 13 Mar. 2026.
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Merriam-Webster unabridged
