happier; happiest
1
a
: enjoying or characterized by well-being and contentment
She is the happiest person I know.
one big happy family
b
: expressing, reflecting, or suggestive of happiness
a happy ending
remembering happier times
had a happy childhood
d
: very willing to do something
I'd be happy to assist you.
e
: having or marked by an atmosphere of good fellowship : friendly
a happy environment
a happy community
2
: favored by luck or fortune : fortunate
a series of happy accidents
a happy coincidence
3
: notably fitting, effective, or well adapted : felicitous
a happy choice of words
4
a
: characterized by a dazed irresponsible state
a punch-happy boxer
b
: impulsively or obsessively quick to use or do something
trigger-happy
… the most pass-happy team in the league …—
Bill Barnwell
Bill Barnwell
c
: enthusiastic about something to the point of obsession : obsessed
… education-conscious and statistic-happy …—Helen Rowen
Helen Rowen5
—used as part of a greeting or wish for someone on a special occasion or holiday
happy birthday
happy holidays
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
McElhany, whose children attend World Languages Institute, said she’s been happy with their school.
—Harriet Ramos, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 2 Nov. 2025
Since then, Le Bon Marché, Neiman Marcus, and Rosewood Hotels have all come calling—and seem perfectly happy to pay the premium that translates into the higher wages Guo offers employees.
—Naomi Rougeau, Robb Report, 2 Nov. 2025
The couple even rented a car and drove across town, visiting friends, family and the people who had cared for him, including vets, chiropractors and even photographers who had captured his happiest days.
—Tereza Shkurtaj, PEOPLE, 2 Nov. 2025
Most of the musicians filmed for The Last Waltz were happy with the results, except for two (and not just Helm).
—David Browne, Rolling Stone, 2 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for happy
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Harriet Ramos, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 2 Nov. 2025
Since then, Le Bon Marché, Neiman Marcus, and Rosewood Hotels have all come calling—and seem perfectly happy to pay the premium that translates into the higher wages Guo offers employees.
—Naomi Rougeau, Robb Report, 2 Nov. 2025
The couple even rented a car and drove across town, visiting friends, family and the people who had cared for him, including vets, chiropractors and even photographers who had captured his happiest days.
—Tereza Shkurtaj, PEOPLE, 2 Nov. 2025
Most of the musicians filmed for The Last Waltz were happy with the results, except for two (and not just Helm).
—David Browne, Rolling Stone, 2 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for happy
Cite this Entry
“Happy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/happy. Accessed 5 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
happy
adjective
hap·py
ˈhap-ē 
happier; happiest
1
2
: suitable sense 1
a happy choice for governor
3
a
: enjoying well-being and contentment
happy in my work
b
: expressing or suggestive of happiness
happy laughter
c
: being pleased or glad
happy to accept an invitation
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