happy
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.
Idioms about happy
happy as a clam. See entry at happy as a clam.
Origin of happy
1Other words for happy
Opposites for happy
Other words from happy
- o·ver·hap·py, adjective
- qua·si-hap·py, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
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 TynanDon't disturb the repose of the respectable old gentleman—he might not be over happy if he saw his descendant in breeches.
She further allowed it to be understood that she was young, handsome, immensely rich, and not over happy with her husband.
Balzac | Frederick Lawtonhappy in that we are not over-happy; / On Fortune's cap we are not the very button.
British Dictionary definitions for happy (1 of 2)
/ (ˈhæpɪ) /
feeling, showing, or expressing joy; pleased
willing: I'd be happy to show you around
causing joy or gladness
fortunate; lucky: the happy position of not having to work
aptly expressed; appropriate: a happy turn of phrase
(postpositive) informal slightly intoxicated
(in combination): happy birthday; happy Christmas
Origin of happy
1- See also trigger-happy
Derived forms of happy
- happily, adverb
- happiness, noun
British Dictionary definitions for -happy (2 of 2)
denoting excessive enthusiasm for or devotion to: gun-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
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
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
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