happiness
noun
hap·pi·ness
ˈha-pē-nəs 
1
a
: a state of well-being and contentment : joy
b
: a pleasurable or satisfying experience
I wish you every happiness in life.
I had the happiness of seeing you—
W. S. Gilbert
W. S. Gilbert3
obsolete
: good fortune : prosperity
all happiness bechance to thee—William Shakespeare
William Shakespeare
Synonyms
Examples of happiness in a Sentence
They made a toast to long life and happiness.
her happiness was complete when she got her very own house
Recent Examples on the Web
Does the cost of happiness vary among U.S. cities, too?
—Medora Lee, USA TODAY, 8 Sep. 2023
Oprah Winfrey and Arthur Brooks on charting a course for happiness
During the pandemic, Oprah Winfrey contacted Harvard professor Arthur Brooks, famed for his lessons on happiness, and proposed teaming up to write a book about finding enjoyment and meaning in your life.
—David Morgan, CBS News, 7 Sep. 2023
However, the couple’s happiness is soon tempered by Emma’s insomnia, paranoia and increasingly fragile postpartum state.
—Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 7 Sep. 2023
As the trailer begins, Eli and his wife, Barbara Weaver (The Flash’s Miranda MacDougall), are seemingly the picture of happiness.
—Julia Moore, Peoplemag, 6 Sep. 2023
Beyond the health benefits of feeling connected, the power of our social relationships largely determines the level of our happiness.
—Byalexa Mikhail, Fortune Well, 5 Sep. 2023
Their whole future happiness is based on doing exactly what Gary put people in prison for.
—Patrick Brzeski, The Hollywood Reporter, 5 Sep. 2023
Baking fruit under a cover of crumbs is the quickest way to happiness in summer time.
—Ben Mims, Los Angeles Times, 3 Sep. 2023
Her happiness is my happiness, and my happiness is [also] her happiness.
—As Told To Bridgette Bartlett Royall, Essence, 29 Aug. 2023
See More
Medora Lee, USA TODAY, 8 Sep. 2023
Oprah Winfrey and Arthur Brooks on charting a course for happiness
During the pandemic, Oprah Winfrey contacted Harvard professor Arthur Brooks, famed for his lessons on happiness, and proposed teaming up to write a book about finding enjoyment and meaning in your life.
—David Morgan, CBS News, 7 Sep. 2023
However, the couple’s happiness is soon tempered by Emma’s insomnia, paranoia and increasingly fragile postpartum state.
—Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 7 Sep. 2023
As the trailer begins, Eli and his wife, Barbara Weaver (The Flash’s Miranda MacDougall), are seemingly the picture of happiness.
—Julia Moore, Peoplemag, 6 Sep. 2023
Beyond the health benefits of feeling connected, the power of our social relationships largely determines the level of our happiness.
—Byalexa Mikhail, Fortune Well, 5 Sep. 2023
Their whole future happiness is based on doing exactly what Gary put people in prison for.
—Patrick Brzeski, The Hollywood Reporter, 5 Sep. 2023
Baking fruit under a cover of crumbs is the quickest way to happiness in summer time.
—Ben Mims, Los Angeles Times, 3 Sep. 2023
Her happiness is my happiness, and my happiness is [also] her happiness.
—As Told To Bridgette Bartlett Royall, Essence, 29 Aug. 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'happiness.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
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Cite this Entry
“Happiness.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/happiness. Accessed 22 Sep. 2023.
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Kids Definition
happiness
noun
hap·pi·ness
ˈhap-i-nəs
: a state of well-being and contentment : joy
More from Merriam-Webster on happiness
Nglish: Translation of happiness for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of happiness for Arabic Speakers
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about happiness
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