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
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
Matty happily cops to having ADHD, but he’s replaced the adrenaline-pursuing deathtrap of getting high with more positive endeavors that include but are not limited to the television show, bestselling cookbooks, and a clothing line for larger men.
—Stephen Rodrick, Rolling Stone, 19 June 2025
All of a sudden, Theo was becoming far more vocal, howling happily while on walks, while looking out the window, and while relaxing in the garden.
—Rachael O'Connor, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 June 2025
Marner is going to make a lot more than Bennett next year…..that alone is enough reason to happily move on from Marner.
—Pierre Lebrun, New York Times, 18 June 2025
But their happily ever after is blown apart, sending the family on the run throughout Europe in the action series.
—Bryan Alexander, USA Today, 18 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for happily
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Stephen Rodrick, Rolling Stone, 19 June 2025
All of a sudden, Theo was becoming far more vocal, howling happily while on walks, while looking out the window, and while relaxing in the garden.
—Rachael O'Connor, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 June 2025
Marner is going to make a lot more than Bennett next year…..that alone is enough reason to happily move on from Marner.
—Pierre Lebrun, New York Times, 18 June 2025
But their happily ever after is blown apart, sending the family on the run throughout Europe in the action series.
—Bryan Alexander, USA Today, 18 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for happily
Cite this Entry
“Happily.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/happily. Accessed 30 Jun. 2025.
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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