many happy returns

Idioms

Also, many happy returns of the day. Happy birthday and many more of them, as in I came by to wish you many happy returns. This expression was first recorded in a letter of 1779 where the writer meant “Happy New Year,” but the present meaning has persisted since the second half of the 1800s.

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:

many happy returns

Be careful on those slopes and many happy returns for your wedding.

From MarketWatch ● Jun. 9, 2026

Happy Birthday to you, Stimson-Green Mansion, and many happy returns.

From Seattle Times ● Sep. 23, 2023

We wish you and your baby many happy returns — and may all of us find more good news in 2020.

From Washington Post ● Dec. 31, 2019

Many of the papers wish the Duke of Edinburgh many happy returns on his 90th birthday.

From BBC ● Jun. 10, 2011

Mr. Punch wishes them "Bon voyage," and many happy "returns" after every performance, ending with the happiest return of all, their reappearance at the Lyceum.

From Punch 1893.07.29 by Various

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023