happily

hap·pi·ly | \ ˈha-pə-lē

How to pronounce happily (audio)

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Definition of happily

1a : in a fortunate manner

b : as it fortunately happens happily, some boyhood pleasures don't change— P. A. Witteman

2 archaic : by chance

3 : in a happy manner or state

4 : in an adequate or fitting manner : successfully

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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 So does that mean that these two deranged killers can live happily ever after with their growing family in the suburbs? — Erica Gonzales, Harper's BAZAAR, "People Are Furious with Joe After the Last Scene of the You Season 2 Finale," 28 Dec. 2019 The Five-Year Engagement' (2012) Chef Jason Segel and budding academic Emily Blunt are happily engaged in San Francisco when their wedding plans are put on hold by a move to Ann Arbor, home of a post-doctorate psychology program for her. — Julie Hinds, Freep.com, "These are the 50 most essential movies set in Michigan," 12 Dec. 2019 At a time when stand-up comics are under fire by everyone from protective parents to the identity-politics crowd on college campuses, BRIAN REGAN is managing to stay happily out of the fray. — Greg Crawford, Detroit Free Press, "Detroit's Top 10: Cool things to do this weekend, including Jeezy, Grizmas, 'Richard Jewell'," 11 Dec. 2019 Thinking Val was John, many started to believe this was a sign that D.J. ends up going back to the hunky vet instead of living happily ever after with her high school boyfriend, Steve (Scott Weinger). — Kayla Keegan, Good Housekeeping, "Candace Cameron Bure Posts Rare Instagram of Her Husband Ahead of ‘Fuller House’ Season 5 Ending," 18 Nov. 2019 And Diaz did all of that while happily engaging Hurricanes fans on social media, teasing them when news about the program was set to break. — Christy Cabrera Chirinos, sun-sentinel.com, "After coaching change, roster overhaul and busy offseason, Hurricanes confident they’re a better team than a season ago," 21 Aug. 2019 Your flying friends will happily stay where the nectar is and leave your hamburgers and hot dogs alone. — Michele Petry, House Beautiful, "How to Get Bees to Buzz Off—Without Harming Them," 2 Aug. 2019 Brick-and-mortar retail pretty much runs on presenting a cheerful face, happily engaging with customers and answering their questions -- something Sara has been emotionally unable to do. — Dear Abby, oregonlive.com, "Dear Abby: Wife is disgusted that overweight husband lets it all hang out," 12 July 2019 Brick-and-mortar retail pretty much runs on presenting a cheerful face, happily engaging with customers and answering their questions — something Sara has been emotionally unable to do. — Abigail Van Buren, Twin Cities, "Dear Abby: Shop owner reluctant to fire employee in personal crisis," 12 July 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'happily.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Last Updated

10 Feb 2020

Cite this Entry

“Happily.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/happily. Accessed 17 Feb. 2020.

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