happy

adjective

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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

Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Phrases Containing happy Learn More About happy

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. See More

Recent Examples on the Web Wall Street, feeling jittery, may not be happy with the report either way. — Julia Horowitz, CNN, 6 May 2022 The Warriors, and many from the NBA world, were not happy with the foul from Brooks. — oregonlive, 5 May 2022 No one is happy with this result, seeing it as irresponsible, expensive and stressful to the environment. — Tom Condon, Hartford Courant, 4 May 2022 Some workers are not happy with this shift in policy. — Daniel Jakaitis, Forbes, 3 May 2022 Warriors coach Steve Kerr and segments of NBA Twitter were not happy with the ejection. — Jeff Zillgitt, USA TODAY, 1 May 2022 However, Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson wasn’t as happy with how his team’s draft has gone. — Tim Bielik, cleveland, 28 Apr. 2022 All three of us were just so happy to play together in the sandbox of Spider-Man. — Max Gao, Harper's BAZAAR, 27 Apr. 2022 This Is Us fans are not happy with how things are turning out for Kevin (Justin Hartley) and Sophie (Alexandra Breckenridge) on the series. — Kayla Keegan, Good Housekeeping, 27 Apr. 2022 See More

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.