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 footage shows contestants happily enduring all sorts of mayhem, while being guided by the voice of the late actor Gene Wilder, who famously played Willy Wonka in the 1971 movie. — James Hibberd, HollywoodReporter, 26 Aug. 2026

Highlights and experiences You could happily treat Luura as a gallery with a pool. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Aug. 2026

Reporters and athletic administrators are among his most devoted buyers and coaches happily take his calls each year. — Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 21 Aug. 2026

In exchange for luring in insects, Cassiope might happily provide some of its resources to Pedicularis. — Denise Hruby, Miami Herald, 21 Aug. 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