happy
adjective
delighted, pleased, or glad, as over a particular thing.
Trivia Time
What was the original meaning of the word happy?
happy
American
[hap-ee]
/ ˈhæp i /
adjective
-
happier,
comparative
-
happiest
superlative
-
delighted, pleased, or glad, as over a particular thing.
I'm so happy to see you!
- Antonyms:
- sad
-
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.
- Synonyms:
- prosperous, successful, propitious, favorable
-
(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.
- Synonyms:
- pertinent, opportune, fitting, appropriate
-
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.
idioms
happy
1
British
/ ˈhæpɪ /
adjective
-
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
interjection
-happy
2
British
combining form
happy
More Idioms
Usage
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!
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Adjectives
Etymology
Origin of happy
First recorded in 1350–1400; from Middle English; see origin at hap 1 ( def. ), -y 1 ( def. )
Explanation
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.
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.
See Examples For:
I gave up and called my GP’s office and told them I was driving over to get them and I was happy to show my driver’s license when I got there.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 17, 2026
If the auditor is not happy with what a company proposes, the commission can ask for "corrective measures".
From Barron's ● Sep. 17, 2026
You can feel burned out and resentful, and also love your cousin and want him to be secure and happy.
From MarketWatch ● Sep. 17, 2026
Llore Pasco, who lost two sons, told Reuters: "We're happy that he has finally appeared and that he looks OK. In fact, he looks like he has put on weight."
From BBC ● Sep. 16, 2026
She seemed quite happy, happier certainly than the horses across the yard from her, who were becoming increasingly unsettled at the appearance of this strange intruder.
From "An Elephant in the Garden" by Michael Morpurgo
Gasped Dr. Cook: "Thanks -happy," sank back into a coma.
From Time Magazine Archive
The more you complete your self-care tasks, the happier your bird becomes.
From Slate ● Sep. 6, 2026
Bly, Stellantis’ propulsion chief, said that while the industry spent years racing toward full EVs to meet government regulations, EREVs may represent a middle-ground solution customers are happier with.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 6, 2026
I’m incredibly glad I decided to educate myself financially, and even happier that I decided to go back to school.
From MarketWatch ● Sep. 4, 2026
I am far happier, I’ve realized, with a watch that tells an entirely unique tale.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 14, 2026
“I couldn’t be happier about how this has worked out for you and Boo,” she says.
From "The Tenth Mistake of Hank Hooperman" by Gennifer Choldenko
Melanie Banders, mother of Sherman, said her son is happiest at summer camp without technology.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 14, 2026
Now he could be the Imagineer to bring the 17-time champion Lakers back to the happiest place on earth — the NBA’s mountaintop.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 12, 2026
“We also have a house in the United States, but our happiest place is on this farm where the kids can have fun,” George told RTL.
From MarketWatch ● Aug. 3, 2026
"She mentioned to a couple of people that she was the happiest that she'd ever been in her last two weeks," said Neve.
From BBC ● Jul. 1, 2026
“If I was loaded like him, I’d be the happiest guy in the school, y’know? I’d walk around giving high fives and handing out twenties. Or fifties!”
From "Popcorn" by Rob Harrell
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.
