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

Ask about the rakia selection too, as the national spirit (a potent fruit brandy) is available in a few flavors at Terra, and the team will happily arrange a tasting. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 24 June 2026

The duck family is now happily back outside and swimming around. — Sara Tenenbaum, CBS News, 24 June 2026

The guest was later revealed to be another Amy — Amy Adams — who happily joined in on the joke. — Lily Brown, PEOPLE, 23 June 2026

Indeed, Western multinationals happily seeded entire industries in China. — Andy Browne, semafor.com, 23 June 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