1
a
: in a fortunate manner
b
: as it fortunately happens
happily, some boyhood pleasures don't change—
P. A. Witteman
P. A. Witteman2
archaic
: by chance
3
: in a happy manner or state
4
: in an adequate or fitting manner : successfully
Examples of happily in a Sentence
They have been happily married for 12 years.
They lived happily ever after.
We happily accept credit cards.
Recent Examples on the Web
There’s got to be a way for both of you to be happy and happily share a space.
—R. Eric Thomas, Chicago Tribune, 29 June 2025
The Caribbean Pumpkin Soup with a Corn, Coconut Cream Drizzle was such a bright, layered punch of flavor; and the Grilled Prawn Curry was a full smack of heat and spice that stood up to the tender, girthy prawns seated happily next to the Sauteed Peppers, Parsley Salad, and Jasmine Rice.
—Kristin L. Wolfe, Forbes.com, 28 June 2025
The co-hosts made sure to clarify that Joy's daughter Eve is now happily married — and Paul is too.
—Julia Moore, People.com, 27 June 2025
Where Sydney is a bundle of nerves most of the time, Chantel is at ease with herself and her place in the world, happily gossiping about friends, family, and clients with her cousin.
—Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 27 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for happily
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R. Eric Thomas, Chicago Tribune, 29 June 2025
The Caribbean Pumpkin Soup with a Corn, Coconut Cream Drizzle was such a bright, layered punch of flavor; and the Grilled Prawn Curry was a full smack of heat and spice that stood up to the tender, girthy prawns seated happily next to the Sauteed Peppers, Parsley Salad, and Jasmine Rice.
—Kristin L. Wolfe, Forbes.com, 28 June 2025
The co-hosts made sure to clarify that Joy's daughter Eve is now happily married — and Paul is too.
—Julia Moore, People.com, 27 June 2025
Where Sydney is a bundle of nerves most of the time, Chantel is at ease with herself and her place in the world, happily gossiping about friends, family, and clients with her cousin.
—Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 27 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for happily
Cite this Entry
“Happily.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/happily. Accessed 5 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
happily
adverb
hap·pi·ly
ˈhap-ə-lē 
1
: in a fortunate or lucky manner
happily, no one was injured
2
: in a happy manner or state
lived happily ever after
3
: in a fitting, effective, or successful manner
remarks happily worded
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