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: I'm so happy to see you!

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: Our home country is 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: Their collaboration was a happy accident.

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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Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Idioms about happy

happy as a clam. See entry at happy as a clam.

Origin of happy

First recorded in 1350–1400; from 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

She said, smiling on him kindly: Meseems that I am over-happy, whereas I have such dear cherishing of noble friends.
The Water of the Wondrous Isles|William Morris
"She does not look over-happy," my grandmother said, and sighed.
The Story of Bawn|Katharine Tynan
Don't disturb the repose of the respectable old gentleman—he might not be over happy if he saw his descendant in breeches.
Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine, Volume 57, No. 355, May 1845|Various
She further allowed it to be understood that she was young, handsome, immensely rich, and not over happy with her husband.
Balzac|Frederick Lawton

Happy in that we are not over-happy; / On Fortune's cap we are not the very button.
Dictionary of Quotations from Ancient and Modern, English and Foreign Sources|James Wood

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

Idioms about 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