happiness

noun

hap·​pi·​ness ˈha-pē-nəs How to pronounce happiness (audio)
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 youW. S. Gilbert
2
: felicity, aptness
a striking happiness of expression
3
obsolete : good fortune : prosperity
all happiness bechance to theeWilliam Shakespeare

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

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

Etymology

see happy

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Time Traveler
The first known use of happiness was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near happiness

Cite this Entry

“Happiness.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/happiness. Accessed 22 Sep. 2023.

Kids Definition

happiness

noun
hap·​pi·​ness ˈhap-i-nəs How to pronounce happiness (audio)
: a state of well-being and contentment : joy

More from Merriam-Webster on happiness

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