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 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 North Olmsted Mayor Kevin Kennedy is not happy about council’s decision. — John Benson, cleveland, "North Olmsted City Council eliminates economic development manager position, boosts small business relief program amount," 31 Mar. 2021 Republican -- yes, right, Republicans are really happy about that. — ABC News, "'This Week' Transcript 3-28-21: White House Communications Director Kate Bedingfield, Sen. Dan Sullivan," 28 Mar. 2021 Amazon isn’t too happy about the prospect of a wave of organizing among its more than 800,000 US employees. — Sarah Todd, Quartz, "Will Amazon unionize?," 28 Mar. 2021 Being content is a more desirable state to live in than being happy, which starts to feel unrealistic and forced. — Celia Ellenberg, Vogue, "Well-Intentioned: How Moon Juice Founder Amanda Chantal Bacon Stays Content, While Minimizing Her Content," 26 Mar. 2021 Wingard initially wasn’t happy about viewers watching on TV sets but has come to terms with it; and is quite pleased that the finished film has a spirit of fun running through it. — BostonGlobe.com, "Together again, still not getting along, in ‘Godzilla vs. Kong’," 24 Mar. 2021 Yaun had just gotten off from work, and the two were happy about getting to unwind with a massage. — Melissa Alonso, CNN, "Officers handcuffed the husband of one of the spa shooting victims for hours after the attacks," 22 Mar. 2021 Buri advises that this edible herb can be happy in just about any climate and will mercifully survive a sporadic watering habit. — Dana Holmes, CNN Underscored, "All the flowers and vegetables to plant now that it’s spring," 22 Mar. 2021 So instead, a new character is stepping into the role on The Falcon and the Winter Soldier...and Marvel fans are not happy about it. — Christian Holub, EW.com, "The Falcon and the Winter Soldier," 19 Mar. 2021

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.