happily

adverb

hap·​pi·​ly ˈha-pə-lē 

1

a

: in a fortunate manner

It was happily the case that Mr. Crawley was not at home.

—Anthony Trollope

b

: as it fortunately happens

Happily, some boyhood pleasures don't change.

—P. A. Witteman

2

archaic : by chance

3

a

: in a happy manner or state

happily married

… was happily shoveling a plate of ackee … into his mouth …

—Zadie Smith

b

: in a very willing way

happily postponed the appointment

4

: in an adequate or fitting manner : successfully

Synonyms of happily

• cheerfully

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

The final mini-film unveiled is a 59-second visual where all four happily reunite in person with a quick shot of what looks like a large white rabbit in the grass catching their attention before the video ends. — Jeff Benjamin, Forbes.com, 21 July 2026

The cast of The Odyssey includes many happily married couples, from newlywed co-stars Tom Holland and Zendaya to Matt Damon and wife Luciana Damon. — Bailey Bujnosek, InStyle, 21 July 2026

Tulare County Sheriff's Office shared video of Fig happily meeting her family again on July 15. — ABC News, 21 July 2026

Like Planck’s chauffeur, AI will happily tell you what to think, do, or say. — Ryan Hawk, Fortune, 20 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

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

Phrases Containing happily

• lived happily ever after
• live happily ever after

Rhymes for happily

• unhappily

Kids 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