View synonyms for happy

happy

[ hap-ee ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

adjective

, hap·pi·er, hap·pi·est.

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
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.
Synonyms: prosperous, successful, propitious, favorable
(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.
Synonyms: pertinent, opportune, fitting, appropriate
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

/ ˈhæpɪ /

adjective

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
informal.
postpositive slightly intoxicated

interjection

( in combination )
happy birthday
happy Christmas

-happy

combining form

denoting excessive enthusiasm for or devotion to
gun-happy

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Derived Forms

ˈhappiness, noun
ˈhappily, adverb

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Other Words From

o·ver·hap·py adjective
qua·si-hap·py adjective

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Word History and Origins

Origin of happy¹

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

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Word History and Origins

Origin of happy¹

C14: see hap ¹, -y ¹

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Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

happy as a clam. happy as a clam.

More idioms and phrases containing happy

many happy returns
trigger happy

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Example Sentences

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.

From Fortune

In fact, I was the kid who, if I got called up in front of the class, was not happy to publicly speak.

From Ozy

It’s a way to keep the ice-cream makers happy while saving the rainforest, and it can be scaled up now.

From Nautilus

Zoom happy hours and small dinner parties are the pandemic’s new social scenes and cocktails should be part of this home experience.

From 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.

From 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.

From The Daily Beast

How do you celebrate when happy occasions are colored by loss and absence?

From The Daily Beast

He seemed by all appearances perfectly happy to let the Republicans control the state senate.

From The Daily Beast

The church was not happy with his views, and there was talk of excommunication.

From The Daily Beast

“We wish each and every one of you a happy and safe new year,” Giorgio said at the very end.

From The 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.

From Project Gutenberg

Cousin George's position is such a happy one, that conversation is to him a thing superfluous.

From Project Gutenberg

Liszt gazed at "his Hans," as he calls him, with the fondest pride, and seemed perfectly happy over his arrival.

From Project Gutenberg

M'Bongo and his whole court are now clothed, I am happy to say, at least to a certain extent.

From Project Gutenberg

He was aware that his act by this time, had helped nobody, had made no one happy or satisfied—not even himself.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

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When To Use

What are other ways to say happy?

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

More About Happy

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.”