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
One 14 month old tester happily clapped and wiggled along to the songs—a feature that can be adjusted as needed.
—Pamela Brill, Parents, 2 Oct. 2025
Even if just a few days after, the two are happily spending a weekend together on Steven Spielberg’s yacht.
—Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 1 Oct. 2025
Off-screen, the relationship drama unfolding on Shifting Gears is far removed from reality, as both Allen and Dennings are happily married in real life.
—Samantha Stutsman, PEOPLE, 1 Oct. 2025
And while the wedding industry isn’t going anywhere, the growing number of couples choosing keys over cake suggests that the definition of happily ever after is changing.
—Essence, 1 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for happily
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Pamela Brill, Parents, 2 Oct. 2025
Even if just a few days after, the two are happily spending a weekend together on Steven Spielberg’s yacht.
—Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 1 Oct. 2025
Off-screen, the relationship drama unfolding on Shifting Gears is far removed from reality, as both Allen and Dennings are happily married in real life.
—Samantha Stutsman, PEOPLE, 1 Oct. 2025
And while the wedding industry isn’t going anywhere, the growing number of couples choosing keys over cake suggests that the definition of happily ever after is changing.
—Essence, 1 Oct. 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 7 Oct. 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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