delighted, pleased, or glad, as over a particular thing.
I'm so happy to see you!
characterized by or indicative of pleasure, contentment, or joy.
a happy mood;
a happy frame of mind.
willing to be helpful, as with assistance, a contribution, or participation.
We’ll be happy to bring a couple of salads to the party.
favored by fortune; fortunate or lucky.
Our home country is a happy, fruitful land.
(used as part of an expression of good wishes on a special occasion).
Happy Valentine’s Day to my husband.
Happy Birthday, Grandpa!
apt or felicitous, as actions, utterances, or ideas.
Their collaboration was a happy accident.
obsessed by or quick to use the item indicated (usually used in combination).
He was a trigger-happy gangster.
Everybody is gadget-happy these days.
feeling, showing, or expressing joy; pleased
willing
I'd be happy to show you around
causing joy or gladness
fortunate; lucky
the happy position of not having to work
aptly expressed; appropriate
a happy turn of phrase
informal (postpositive) slightly intoxicated
What is a basic definition of happy? Happy describes a feeling of joy, delight, or glee. It also describes something that is related to or shows joy. Happy can describe someone being willing to do something or be helpful. Happy is used in many expressions that wish good tidings to another person. Happy has a few other senses as an adjective. Happy describes feeling really good, as when a person in a good mood that makes them smile. Happiness refers to this positive emotion. Happily means in a happy way. Real-life examples: Everybody has something that makes them happy. Cute animals, presents, compliments, and loved ones make most people feel happy. Used in a sentence: The surprise birthday party really made Abdul happy. Happy also describes something that shows or is related to feelings of happiness and joy. Used in a sentence: The friendly clown had a happy smile. Happy describes someone being willing to do something, especially to help or assist someone else. They don’t think whatever they will do is a problem or a chore. Real-life examples: Many experts are happy to show off their knowledge. Salespeople are often happy to explain things to customers if it means selling more items. Used in a sentence: I’d be happy to give you a ride to the mall since I was going there anyway. The word happy is used in many greetings and expressions that wish a person well or wish that they have a good future. Used in a sentence: Happy birthday!
First recorded in 1350–1400; from Middle English; see origin at hap 1 ( def. ), -y 1 ( def. )
Happy is a feeling of joy, pleasure, or good fortune — exactly how you'd feel if you learned that you won the lottery or got accepted into your number one choice of colleges. Happy hails from the Middle English word hap, meaning "good luck." Many of the early European words for happy actually referred to good luck, rather than a feeling of joy. On its own, happy means an enjoyable or satisfied state of being. When hyphenated, it can refer to an overwhelming inclination to do something. Someone who is trigger-happy, for example, has an overwhelming urge to shoot things, while a clothes-happy person is obsessed with taking trips to the mall.
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
No, leaving the corporate world is not a bad idea — especially if you’re not happy.
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 20, 2026
I feel very happy to bring a bit of our culture, our slang, our sound and our essence to the U.S. for my fans that haven’t had a chance to see a show of mine.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 20, 2026
So he was able to see me and he was so happy that she was there.
From Salon ● Jul. 20, 2026
I understand that the Reconstruction Amendments might not feel like the most compelling discussion topic for happy hour.
From Slate ● Jul. 20, 2026
I wasn’t happy when he told me that his orientation was the same day as the meet.
From "Red Flags and Butterflies" by Sheryl Azzam
Gasped Dr. Cook: "Thanks -happy," sank back into a coma.
From Time Magazine Archive
Having less responsibility doesn’t automatically mean you’ll be happier, and you may not feel any more satisfied with your work.
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 20, 2026
Lord Timpson said in his resignation statement that he had left "our prisons and probation service in a much healthier and happier state than two years ago".
From BBC ● Jul. 20, 2026
Research generally supports the idea that happy employees stay longer and lead to happier customers.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 8, 2026
And Gregg told his son he couldn’t be happier about or prouder of how things have worked out.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 30, 2026
Mother, working shorter hours once again, looked happier than she had for a long time.
From "The Boy Who Met a Whale" by Nizrana Farook
“The happiest workers can engender similar emotions in their customers, but they are also better at their jobs,” said the report.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 8, 2026
As her mother explained, B.P.J. “is the happiest I have ever seen her when she is accepted for who she is and able to participate in school sports.”
From Slate ● Jun. 30, 2026
"I'm happiest when I'm painting," he told the Telegraph.
From Barron's ● Jun. 12, 2026
"Oooh, I'd love to manifest an awesome title - like, 'Olivia Rodrigo lives the happiest, most joyful life any singer songwriter ever lived'."
From BBC ● Jun. 10, 2026
He could be in the happiest, friendliest mood.
From "Born a Crime: Stories from a South African Childhood" by Trevor Noah
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.
