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 ShakespeareExamples 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
Men seem to be happiest when their wives’ income reaches about 40% of their own, and then their happiness declines beyond that threshold.
—Madeline Holcombe, CNN Money, 6 Sep. 2025
Studies have shown that winning the lottery can bring a measure of happiness that often correlates with levels of satisfaction that also come with financial stability.
—Phaedra Trethan, USA Today, 6 Sep. 2025
His immediate instinct is to covet their happiness.
—Lily Meyer, The Atlantic, 5 Sep. 2025
The sci-fi romance mockumentary, which is set in a futuristic Africa and explores such themes as memory, finding happiness in a tragic world and the importance of small moments, next screens at the Toronto International Film Festival, starting on Friday.
—Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 4 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for happiness
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Madeline Holcombe, CNN Money, 6 Sep. 2025
Studies have shown that winning the lottery can bring a measure of happiness that often correlates with levels of satisfaction that also come with financial stability.
—Phaedra Trethan, USA Today, 6 Sep. 2025
His immediate instinct is to covet their happiness.
—Lily Meyer, The Atlantic, 5 Sep. 2025
The sci-fi romance mockumentary, which is set in a futuristic Africa and explores such themes as memory, finding happiness in a tragic world and the importance of small moments, next screens at the Toronto International Film Festival, starting on Friday.
—Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 4 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for happiness
Cite this Entry
“Happiness.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/happiness. Accessed 11 Sep. 2025.
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happiness
noun
hap·pi·ness
ˈhap-i-nəs
: a state of well-being and contentment : joy
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