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  • felicity
    felicity
    noun
    the state of being happy, especially in a high degree; bliss.
  • Felicity
    Felicity
    noun
    a female given name, form of Felicia.
Synonyms

felicity

1 American  
[fi-lis-i-tee] / fɪˈlɪs ɪ ti /

noun

felicities plural
  1. the state of being happy, especially in a high degree; bliss.

    marital felicity.

  2. an instance of this.

  3. a source of happiness.

  4. a skillful faculty.

    felicity of expression.

  5. an instance or display of this.

    the many felicities of the poem.

  6. Archaic. good fortune.


Felicity 2 American  
[fi-lis-i-tee] / fɪˈlɪs ɪ ti /
Also Felicita

noun

  1. a female given name, form of Felicia.


felicity British  
/ fɪˈlɪsɪtɪ /

noun

  1. happiness; joy

  2. a cause of happiness

  3. an appropriate expression or style

  4. the quality or display of such expressions or style

  5. 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

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Synonym Usage

See happiness.

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

Inflected Forms

noun

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."

Keep Reading on Vocabulary.com

Vocabulary lists containing felicity

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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