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happily

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adverb hap·pi·ly \ ˈha-pə-lē \

Definition of happily

1 a :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

See happily defined for English-language learners

See happily defined for kids

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Examples of happily in a Sentence

  1. They have been happily married for 12 years.

  2. They lived happily ever after.

  3. We happily accept credit cards.

Recent Examples of happily from the Web

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.

First Known Use of happily

14th century

happily Synonyms

Synonyms
brightly, cheerfully, cheerily, gaily, heartily, jocosely, jovially, merrily, mirthfully, smilingly
Antonyms
bleakly, cheerlessly, darkly, heavily, miserably, morosely, unhappily
Related Words
amusedly, exuberantly, giddily, gigglingly, joyfully, joyously; blithely, blithesomely, breezily, gladly, gladsomely, laughingly, lightheartedly, sunnily; amicably, friendlily, friendly, good-humoredly, good-naturedly, jocularly; hopefully, optimistically, sanguinely; blissfully, elatedly, euphorically, rapturously
Near Antonyms
abjectly, dejectedly, despondently, disconsolately, dispiritedly, wretchedly; dolefully, dolorously, forlornly, mournfully, plaintively, sorrowfully; dourly, glumly, mirthlessly, sourly, sternly, sulkily, sullenly; blackly, dismally, drearily, gloomily, pessimistically

Phrases Related to HAPPILY

Related Phrases

HAPPILY Defined for English Language Learners

happily

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adverb

Definition of happily for English Language Learners

  • : in a happy way or state

  • —used to say that something good or lucky has happened

  • : in a very willing way

Learn More about happily

  1. See words that rhyme with happily Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for happily Nglish: Translation of happily for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of happily for Arabic speakers

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Examples: happily in a Sentence