happy

adjective

hap·py | \ ˈha-pē

happier; happiest

Definition of happy

1 : favored by luck or fortune : fortunate a happy coincidence

2 : notably fitting, effective, or well adapted : felicitous a happy choice

3a : enjoying or characterized by well-being and contentment is the happiest person I know a happy childhood

b : expressing, reflecting, or suggestive of happiness a happy ending

c : glad, pleased I'm happy to meet you

d : having or marked by an atmosphere of good fellowship : friendly a happy office

4a : characterized by a dazed irresponsible state a punch-happy boxer

b : impulsively or obsessively quick to use or do something trigger-happy

c : enthusiastic about something to the point of obsession : obsessed education-conscious and statistic-happy— Helen Rowen

Other Words from happy Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about happy

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Choose the Right Synonym for happy

lucky, fortunate, happy, providential mean meeting with unforeseen success. lucky stresses the agency of chance in bringing about a favorable result. won because of a lucky bounce fortunate suggests being rewarded beyond one's deserts. fortunate in my investments happy combines the implications of lucky and fortunate with stress on being blessed. a series of happy accidents providential more definitely implies the help or intervention of a higher power. a providential change in the weather

fit, suitable, meet, proper, appropriate, fitting, apt, happy, felicitous mean right with respect to some end, need, use, or circumstance. fit stresses adaptability and sometimes special readiness for use or action. fit for battle suitable implies an answering to requirements or demands. clothes suitable for camping meet suggests a just proportioning. meet payment proper suggests a suitability through essential nature or accordance with custom. proper acknowledgement appropriate implies eminent or distinctive fitness. an appropriate gift fitting implies harmony of mood or tone. a fitting end apt connotes a fitness marked by nicety and discrimination. apt quotations happy suggests what is effectively or successfully appropriate. a happy choice of words felicitous suggests an aptness that is opportune, telling, or graceful. a felicitous phrase

Examples of happy in a Sentence

She was a very happy child. You don't look happy. What's the problem? We're all one big, happy family here. I'd do anything to make her happy. I could hear the children's happy laughter in the other room. She had a very happy childhood. They've had a very happy marriage. I was glad the movie had a happy ending. We are so happy that you were able to come to the party. They are not at all happy about the rise in taxes.

Recent Examples on the Web

Most of the symptoms include work stress filtering into the rest of one’s life and, often, making even non-work time less happy and productive. — Cassie Werber, Quartz at Work, "A psychotherapist explains how to deal with the symptoms of burnout," 14 June 2019 Of course, there’s little else like Wildermiss in Colorado at the moment — melodic and guitar-driven, slick and passionate, rhythmically sophisticated yet happy to flex its mastery of song-building basics. — John Wenzel, The Know, "Exclusive: Wildermiss reveals new album, video for “Hell or High Water”," 14 June 2019 Many fathers gladly sacrifice to see their children happy, safe and successful. — Derek M. Griffith, The Conversation, "Fathers need to care for themselves as well as their kids – but often don’t," 14 June 2019 The conventional wisdom has been that cells are a capital-intensive, commoditized business best left to South Korean conglomerates that are happy with lower returns. — Stephen Wilmot, WSJ, "Volkswagen Follows Tesla Into Battery Business," 13 June 2019 The Middle Eastern kingdom was reportedly not happy with the drones’ performance and is seeking to unload them at auction. — Kyle Mizokami, Popular Mechanics, "Turns Out Buying a Chinese Knock-Off Predator Drone Is a Bad Idea," 12 June 2019 The owners of Calcutta Bungalow, for instance, were only too happy to sell off their share of the property. — Chandrima Pal, Quartz India, "How a group of investors are preserving Kolkata’s architectural legacy," 12 June 2019 Shutterstock Drivers won’t be happy about the 2019 Traffic Index. — Patrick Sisson, Curbed, "Sick of traffic? Get cities to invest in bikes and mass transit, says report," 11 June 2019 Shutterstock Here's something that makes us ridiculously happy: Legally Blonde 3 is officially a go. — Ruby Buddemeyer, Marie Claire, "Reese Witherspoon Confirmed 'Legally Blonde 3' Is Definitely Happening," 7 June 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'happy.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.