happy

[ hap-ee ]

/ ˈhæp i /

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See synonyms for: happy / happier / happiest on Thesaurus.com

adjective, hap·pi·er, hap·pi·est.

delighted, pleased, or glad, as over a particular thing: to be happy to see a person.

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: 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.

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.

OTHER WORDS FOR happy

1 joyous, joyful, blithe, cheerful, merry, contented, blissful, satisfied.

4 favorable, propitious; successful, prosperous.

6 appropriate, fitting, opportune, pertinent.

See synonyms for happy on Thesaurus.com

OPPOSITES FOR happy

1 sad.

See antonyms for happy on Thesaurus.com

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Origin of happy

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English; see origin at hap¹, -y¹

OTHER WORDS FROM happy

o·ver·hap·py, adjectivequa·si-hap·py, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use happy in a sentence

“It was not merely the work in which he had constantly grown happier that he saw taken from him,” Howells notes.
The Novel That Foretold the TNR Meltdown|Nicolaus Mills|December 22, 2014|DAILY BEAST
This health tracker for dogs fits snugly around collars and monitors activity with the goal of making dogs happier and healthier.
Nothing Says I Love You Like Data|The Daily Beast|December 8, 2014|DAILY BEAST
It paralleled a much happier time when he carried her around after she twisted her ankle, back in Season 4.
Exit Interview: The Walking Dead's Beth Tells All|Melissa Leon|December 1, 2014|DAILY BEAST
He is ultimately convicted and sentenced to federal prison, creating a happy (or happier) ending in a domestic abuse story.
The Worst Question for Abuse Victims|Emily Shire|October 20, 2014|DAILY BEAST

Happier news is that the other great icon of modern Britishness, Kate's hair, at least held up today.
Murray Crashes Out Of Wimbledon As Kate And William Watch|Tom Sykes|July 2, 2014|DAILY BEAST
There are sentimental children, as there are sentimental adults, who seem never happier than when the tears are ready to start.
Children's Ways|James Sully
Michael Allcraft, for a few brief seconds, was a happier man than he had been for years.
Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine, No. CCCXXXIX. January, 1844. Vol. LV.|Various
Are you happier now, little doubting female St. Thomas that you are?
The Joyous Adventures of Aristide Pujol|William J. Locke
He might have resented this speech for Dr. Ashton's sake, in a happier moment, but resentment had been beaten out of him now.
Elster's Folly|Mrs. Henry Wood
The new Governor looked forward to happier days and an easy administration.
The Eve of the Revolution|Carl Becker

British Dictionary definitions for happy (1 of 2)

happy

/ (ˈhæpɪ) /

adjective -pier or -piest

feeling, showing, or expressing joy; pleased

willingI'd be happy to show you around

causing joy or gladness

fortunate; luckythe happy position of not having to work

aptly expressed; appropriatea happy turn of phrase

(postpositive) informal slightly intoxicated

interjection

(in combination)happy birthday; happy Christmas

Derived forms of happy

happily, adverbhappiness, noun

Word Origin for happy

C14: see hap 1, -y 1

British Dictionary definitions for happy (2 of 2)

-happy

adj combining form

denoting excessive enthusiasm for or devotion togun-happy

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

Other Idioms and Phrases with happy

happy

In addition to the idioms beginning with happy

happy as the day is long
happy camper
happy hour
happy hunting ground
happy medium

also see:

many happy returns
trigger happy

happy

OTHER WORDS FOR happy

OPPOSITES FOR happy

Origin of happy

OTHER WORDS FROM happy

Words related to happy

How to use happy in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for happy (1 of 2)

Derived forms of happy

Word Origin for happy

British Dictionary definitions for happy (2 of 2)

Other Idioms and Phrases with happy