1
a
: in a fortunate manner
b
: as it fortunately happens
happily, some boyhood pleasures don't change—
P. A. Witteman
P. A. Witteman2
archaic
: by chance
3
: in a happy manner or state
4
: in an adequate or fitting manner : successfully
Synonyms
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
There are no minibars in rooms, but Pelorus staff will happily cater to all your earthly desires.
—Kendall Hill, Travel + Leisure, 27 Apr. 2024
In an internal email sent to colleagues, Harlow looked back happily on her time on CNN and focused on what's ahead: putting family first.
—Jay Stahl, USA TODAY, 26 Apr. 2024
See all Example Sentences for happily 
Kendall Hill, Travel + Leisure, 27 Apr. 2024
In an internal email sent to colleagues, Harlow looked back happily on her time on CNN and focused on what's ahead: putting family first.
—Jay Stahl, USA TODAY, 26 Apr. 2024
See all Example Sentences for happily
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'happily.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Happily.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/happily. Accessed 5 May. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
happily
adverb
hap·pi·ly
ˈhap-ə-lē 
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
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