1,400 new words in our dictionary! — Parasocial, glow-up, promposal & more
1,400 new words in our dictionary! — More

happy-go-lucky

adjective

ˌha-pē-gō-ˈlə-kē How to pronounce happy-go-lucky (audio)
Definition of happy-go-luckynext
1
as in unaffected
having a relaxed, casual manner he is completely happy-go-lucky on fishing trips—if he catches something, fine; if he doesn't, that's fine, too

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in nonchalant
having or showing freedom from worries or trouble went on her happy-go-lucky way, totally unaware that she was strewing litter behind her

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of happy-go-lucky Recently, after a bad defeat, my happy-go-lucky son, Peter, ambled over to another player, who was stone-faced with frustration and shame. — Joshua Rothman, New Yorker, 22 May 2026 Plant the color that best defines you, whether that's white for a happy-go-lucky attitude or purple for a sweet disposition. — Jenny Krane, Better Homes & Gardens, 11 May 2026 The universe is greeting you with joy, Libra, as the Moon and Pluto skip hand-in-hand through your happy-go-lucky 5th house. — Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 11 Apr. 2026 Harry with a woman who was easy and happy-go-lucky? — Literary Hub, 9 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for happy-go-lucky
Recent Examples of Synonyms for happy-go-lucky
  1. unaffected
  2. nonchalant
  3. mellow
  4. carefree
  5. casual
  6. lighthearted
  7. easygoing
  8. unconcerned
Adjective
  • Yet with the relentless Ukrainian drone strikes – including the biggest wave ever launched against the Moscow region as voting took place this weekend – the Kremlin has been at pains to reassure Russians that life goes on largely unaffected.
    — Matthew Chance, CNN Money, 22 Sep. 2026
  • Areas once largely unaffected are increasingly reporting infections, reflecting a gradual expansion of the virus across the country.
    — Giada Zampano, Los Angeles Times, 19 Sep. 2026
Definition of unaffected
Adjective
  • Just a rugged man in a stream There is, of course, nothing nonchalant about the exchange.
    — Jack Dolan, Los Angeles Times, 16 Sep. 2026
  • Then Gurov takes that famous bite of watermelon, a metaphor for what has just happened and his nonchalant reaction to it.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of nonchalant
Adjective
  • Typically spotted in gardens, parks and woodlands, Turdus merula is a familiar sight across Europe, with a song that’s rich, mellow and flutelike.
    — Taylor Nicioli, CNN Money, 19 Sep. 2026
  • Regardless of the crush of bodies, the vibe at Lowboy is mellow, with seasonal drinks, a delectable menu of bar food, a cute patio—and, of course, a smashburger that is to die for.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 17 Sep. 2026
Definition of mellow
Adjective
  • The song celebrates the beauty of one’s native land and the innocence and carefree spirit of childhood.
    — Roberto Prieto, Variety, 20 Sep. 2026
  • Their bouncy attitudes inevitably mold the vast open country in their own carefree image.
    — Vikram Murthi, IndieWire, 5 Sep. 2026
Definition of carefree
Adjective
  • Venus in your communication zone connects awkwardly with Uranus in your career sector, making a message, comment, post, or casual idea more visible than intended.
    — Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 20 Sep. 2026
  • These Pact leggings are designed for everyday wear and look great with oversized sweaters and knee-high boots, blousy tops and ballet flats, or sneakers and an oversized flannel shirt for a more casual ensemble.
    — Jessie Quinn, PEOPLE, 20 Sep. 2026
Definition of casual
Adjective
  • Matthew Rhys and Keri Russell know how to keep the competitive nature at television's most prestigious award show fun and lighthearted.
    — Taylor Ardrey, USA Today, 15 Sep. 2026
  • The idea had been brewing ever since Kennedy opened up about her high school antics during a lighthearted conversation with her dad at an airport a few years after graduating.
    — Ashley Vega, PEOPLE, 9 Sep. 2026
Definition of lighthearted
Adjective
  • And its young, easygoing staff, around the pool, but also in its dining areas, are noticeably great with children.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 17 Sep. 2026
  • The Hanson frontman has spent nearly three decades projecting an easygoing, upbeat presence.
    — Lily Moayeri, Rolling Stone, 16 Sep. 2026
Definition of easygoing
Adjective
  • Unmoored, often ill with tuberculosis, and in and out of hospitals, Leigh valiantly continued to work, seemingly unconcerned about her precarious health.
    — Hadley Hall Meares, Vanity Fair, 21 Sep. 2026
  • Feldstein and Einhorn seemed unconcerned about disrupting relations with Egypt, Israel’s most important peace partner in the region.
    — Ruth Margalit, New Yorker, 19 Sep. 2026
Definition of unconcerned

Browse Nearby Words

happy campers
happy-go-lucky
happy hunting ground
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Happy-go-lucky.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/happy-go-lucky. Accessed 26 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

More Commonly Mispronounced Words

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Back to School Vocabulary

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Words of the Week - Sept. 25
See More

Popular

See More

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
image of the words cracker fly and sale arranged in a triangle with the word fire in the middle
Triple Play Quiz Find the word that pairs with each of the three g...
See All