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

2

: felicity, aptness

a striking happiness of expression

3

obsolete : good fortune : prosperity

all happiness bechance to thee

—William Shakespeare

Synonyms

• beatitude
• blessedness
• bliss
• blissfulness
• felicity
• gladness
• joy
• warm fuzzies

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

Take this test to find out: Marital Satisfaction Scale. Mark Travers, Ph.d, is an American psychologist who writes about psycho-educational topics such as happiness, relationships, personality, and life meaning. —Mark Travers, Forbes, 5 Oct. 2024

God, lower taxes, smaller government, and the pursuit of happiness. —Bill Shaikin, Los Angeles Times, 4 Oct. 2024

And happiness, for Butler, has come from expanding his horizons. —Nick Mafi, Architectural Digest, 3 Oct. 2024

Japan’s Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba will propose a new happiness index during his first parliamentary policy speech on Friday, local media have reported. —Afp, Fortune Asia, 3 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

see happy

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Kids Definition

happiness

noun

hap·​pi·​ness ˈhap-i-nəs 

: a state of well-being and contentment : joy