felicity
1 Americannoun
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the state of being happy, especially in a high degree; bliss.
marital felicity.
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an instance of this.
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a source of happiness.
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a skillful faculty.
felicity of expression.
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an instance or display of this.
the many felicities of the poem.
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Archaic. good fortune.
noun
noun
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happiness; joy
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a cause of happiness
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an appropriate expression or style
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the quality or display of such expressions or style
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philosophy appropriateness (of a speech act). The performative I appoint you ambassador can only possess felicity if uttered by one in whom the authority for such appointments is vested
Synonym Usage
See happiness.
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Etymology
Origin of felicity
1350–1400; Middle English felicite (from Anglo-French ) from Latin fēlīcitās, equivalent to fēlīci- (stem of fēlīx ) “happy” + -tās -ty 2
Explanation
Felicity is a state of happiness or the quality of joy. Sitting on the roof with a telescope and iced tea on a clear, starry night is one way to find perfect felicity — a happy place. Felicity comes from the Latin fēlīcitās, meaning "happiness." A synonym for felicity is "blissfulness." People, places, and things can have felicity: "His personality was so warm and full of felicity that we felt at ease the minute we met him." Or you can be in a state of felicity: "A full stomach, a fluffy couch, and the felicity of a Sunday-afternoon nap."
Vocabulary lists containing felicity
"The Black Cat" by Edgar Allan Poe
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Grade 11, List 3
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"The Odyssey" by Homer, Books 8–13
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Felicity makes clear that her loyalty is to her future husband, though she keeps everyone against their will at this emergency summit.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 29, 2026
The lead female character has often been played by a British actress - Felicity Kendal took on the role for the show's last West End incarnation in 2015.
From BBC • Apr. 16, 2026
Now, that vision -- starring Joel Edgerton and Felicity Jones -- is up for four Oscars, including the coveted best picture prize.
From Barron's • Feb. 27, 2026
Just when she thinks things have reached a peak, Felicity says "something will come along" to give K-pop "this whole new lens and lease of life".
From BBC • Jan. 13, 2026
Was there not a wonderful Felicity here when we were in our great Days?
From "The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing, Traitor to the Nation, Volume II: The Kingdom on the Waves" by M.T. Anderson
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Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.