happy

[hap-ee]

adjective

happier, happiest 

1. delighted, pleased, or glad, as over a particular thing.

   I'm so happy to see you!

   Synonyms: satisfied, blissful, contented, merry, cheerful, blithe, joyful, joyous
   Antonyms: sad

2. characterized by or indicative of pleasure, contentment, or joy.

   a happy mood;

   a happy frame of mind.

3. willing to be helpful, as with assistance, a contribution, or participation.

   We’ll be happy to bring a couple of salads to the party.

4. favored by fortune; fortunate or lucky.

   Our home country is a happy, fruitful land.

   Synonyms: prosperous, successful, propitious, favorable

5. (used as part of an expression of good wishes on a special occasion).

   Happy Valentine’s Day to my husband.

   Happy Birthday, Grandpa!

6. apt or felicitous, as actions, utterances, or ideas.

   Their collaboration was a happy accident.

   Synonyms: pertinent, opportune, fitting, appropriate

7. 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.

happy

¹

/ ˈhæpɪ /

adjective

1. feeling, showing, or expressing joy; pleased

2. willing

   I'd be happy to show you around

3. causing joy or gladness

4. fortunate; lucky

   the happy position of not having to work

5. aptly expressed; appropriate

   a happy turn of phrase

6. informal,  (postpositive) slightly intoxicated

interjection

1. ( in combination )

   happy birthday

   happy Christmas

-happy

²

combining form

1. denoting excessive enthusiasm for or devotion to

   gun-happy

Other Word Forms

• overhappy adjective
• quasi-happy adjective
• happiness noun
• happily adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of happy¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; from Middle English; hap ¹ ( def. ), -y ¹ ( def. )

Word History and Origins

Origin of happy¹

C14: see _hap ¹ , _-y ¹

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. happy as a clam. happy as a clam.

More idioms and phrases containing happy

• many happy returns
• trigger happy

Example Sentences

The family held a second funeral before Sunny was buried alongside his great-grandparents, Mrs Beverley said she was "happy that he is finally home".

Read more on BBC

I was happy with spousal equivalency, with the idea that every day Carlos and I chose each other without needing the state to ratify it.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Miraculously, Gish appears to have been mostly a happy child who excels socially and academically.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

"She was very professional and checked with us both that we were happy for her to stay, which we were," he explained.

Read more on BBC

"Banijay UK has consulted the celebrities, contestants and guests featured and all have confirmed that they are happy for the shows to be aired," a BBC spokesperson said.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• cheerful 
• delighted 
• ecstatic 
• elated 
• enraptured www.thesaurus.com
• exultant 
• glad 
• gleeful 
• jolly 
• joyful 
• joyous 
• jubilant 
• merry 
• mirthful 
• overjoyed 
• thrilled 
• up 
• upbeat 

When To Use

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!