The adjective happy is sometimes used to describe things that are favored by fortune. How does it differ from fortunate and lucky? Find out on Thesaurus.com

VOCAB BUILDER

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!

Where does happy come from?

The first records of happy come from around 1350. It comes from Middle English and is a combination of the word hap, meaning “a person’s luck or lot,” and the suffix –y meaning “characterized by.” The word hap comes from the Old Norse happ, meaning “luck” or “chance.”

Did you know ... ?

What are some other forms related to happy?

overhappy (adjective)
quasi-happy (adjective)
happiness (noun)
happily (adverb)

What are some synonyms for happy?

What are some words that share a root or word element with happy?

What are some words that often get used in discussing happy?

How is happy used in real life?

Happy is a common word that most often means someone feels really good or has a big smile.

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Try using happy!

Which of the following words is a synonym of happy?

sad
angry
cheerful
scared

How to use happy in a sentence

I’m happy I’m not a freshman right now because I think that my dorm experience is something I never would have wanted to give up.
Even the most cautious schools are seeing outbreaks|Sy Mukherjee|September 17, 2020|Fortune
In fact, I was the kid who, if I got called up in front of the class, was not happy to publicly speak.
Tom Colicchio Hopes (and Fears) COVID-19 Will Change the Restaurant Industry|Pallabi Munsi|September 16, 2020|Ozy
It’s a way to keep the ice-cream makers happy while saving the rainforest, and it can be scaled up now.
The Environmental Headache in Your Shampoo - Issue 90: Something Green|Anastasia Bendebury & Michael Shilo DeLay|September 16, 2020|Nautilus
Zoom happy hours and small dinner parties are the pandemic’s new social scenes and cocktails should be part of this home experience.
Bar Rescue: Pandemic Edition|jakemeth|September 15, 2020|Fortune

Rodríguez, who now lives in Arizona, in a message she sent to the Blade said she was very happy when Moreno called her and told her she had won her case.
Lesbian woman from Cuba granted asylum in U.S.|Yariel Valdés González|September 15, 2020|Washington Blade
So, as far as Mexican officials like Peña Nieto are concerned, the goal is to keep their countrymen here — and keep them happy.
Why Mexicans Are Enraged by Obama’s Big Tuesday Meeting|Ruben Navarrette Jr.|January 6, 2015|DAILY BEAST
How do you celebrate when happy occasions are colored by loss and absence?
Everyone at This Dinner Party Has Lost Someone|Samantha Levine|January 6, 2015|DAILY BEAST
He seemed by all appearances perfectly happy to let the Republicans control the state senate.
Mario Cuomo: An OK Governor, but a Far Better Person|Michael Tomasky|January 2, 2015|DAILY BEAST
The church was not happy with his views, and there was talk of excommunication.
Mario Cuomo, a Frustrating Hero to Democrats, Is Dead at 82|Eleanor Clift|January 2, 2015|DAILY BEAST
“We wish each and every one of you a happy and safe new year,” Giorgio said at the very end.
Cop Families Boo De Blasio at NYPD Graduation|Michael Daly|December 30, 2014|DAILY BEAST
And that was that if he and his wife were to ever live together again and be happy, the family were to be kept out of it.
The Homesteader|Oscar Micheaux
Cousin George's position is such a happy one, that conversation is to him a thing superfluous.
Physiology of The Opera|John H. Swaby (AKA "Scrici")
Liszt gazed at "his Hans," as he calls him, with the fondest pride, and seemed perfectly happy over his arrival.
Music-Study in Germany|Amy Fay
M'Bongo and his whole court are now clothed, I am happy to say, at least to a certain extent.
The Pit Town Coronet, Volume I (of 3)|Charles James Wills
He was aware that his act by this time, had helped nobody, had made no one happy or satisfied—not even himself.
The Homesteader|Oscar Micheaux

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 nearby happy

WHEN TO USE

What are other ways to say happy?

VOCAB BUILDER

What is a basic definition of happy?

Where does happy come from?

Did you know ... ?

How is happy used in real life?

Try using happy!

learn more about 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