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 of happiness

• joy
• bliss

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

Emotional Women Telenovelas have largely reinforced the image of Latin American women as highly emotional and unstable figures who could only reach happiness by way of a sequence of obstacles. — Damaly Gonzalez, ARTnews.com, 30 Sep. 2026

Because so many of Gunn’s friends died in San Francisco, a city where Gunn had found happiness and freedom, then these elegies are also a monument to a time of communal sorrow and mourning. — Colm Tóibín, Literary Hub, 30 Sep. 2026

Interestingly, in a recent study on the happiness of humans, satisfaction levels increased significantly in line with the proximity to an ice cream shop. — Rosie Conroy, Condé Nast Traveler, 29 Sep. 2026

Among the retirees surveyed by Moss, the answer to the question is a key marker of happiness. — Ryan Ermey, CNBC, 29 Sep. 2026

Word History

Etymology

see happy

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Rhymes for happiness

• unhappiness

Kids Definition

happiness

noun

hap·​pi·​ness ˈhap-i-nəs 

: a state of well-being and contentment : joy