happiness

[hap-ee-nis]

noun

1. the quality or state of being happy.

   Synonyms: satisfaction, enjoyment, delight, contentedness, bliss, exhilaration, joy, pleasure
   Antonyms: misery

2. good fortune; pleasure; contentment; joy.

   Synonyms: delight, contentedness, bliss, exhilaration, joy, pleasure, satisfaction, enjoyment

Other Word Forms

• overhappiness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of happiness¹

First recorded in 1520–30; happy + -ness

Synonym Study

Happiness, bliss, contentment, felicity imply an active or passive state of pleasure or pleasurable satisfaction. Happiness results from the possession or attainment of what one considers good: the happiness of visiting one's family. Bliss is unalloyed happiness or supreme delight: the bliss of perfect companionship. Contentment is a peaceful kind of happiness in which one rests without desires, even though every wish may not have been gratified: contentment in one's surroundings. Felicity is a formal word for happiness of an especially fortunate or intense kind: to wish a young couple felicity in life.

Example Sentences

“Life isn’t always going to give you what you want. You have to pick your own happiness. You have to choose it.”

From Salon

Speaking on Saturday night, she said winning the glitterball would have been "amazing", but added: "What I've learnt in the last few years is happiness, health and being alive is more important than anything."

From BBC

Leonberg and Fischer did not rush making “Good Boy,” taking the time – three years in fact – to ensure both Indy’s cooperation but also his happiness.

From Salon

"But it's nice because you're from a from a place of happiness and and love, you can go back to those places. You can look forward to other things."

From BBC

One hates to indulge hoary ideas about happiness being bad for songwriters.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• bliss 
• contentment 
• delight 
• elation 
• enjoyment 
• euphoria 
• exhilaration 
• glee 
• joy 
• jubilation 
• laughter 
• optimism 
• peace of mind www.thesaurus.com
• pleasure 
• prosperity 
• well-being