happiness

noun

hap·​pi·​ness ˈha-pē-nəs 

1

a

: a state of well-being and contentment : joy

b

: a pleasurable or satisfying experience

I wish you every happiness in life.

I had the happiness of seeing you

—W. S. Gilbert

2

: felicity, aptness

a striking happiness of expression

3

obsolete : good fortune : prosperity

all happiness bechance to thee

—William Shakespeare

Synonyms

• beatitude
• blessedness
• bliss
• blissfulness
• felicity
• gladness
• joy
• warm fuzzies

Examples of happiness in a Sentence

They made a toast to long life and happiness.

her happiness was complete when she got her very own house

Recent Examples on the Web

Having two or more divorces typically leads to less reliable happiness levels. —Wes Moss, Forbes, 21 Nov. 2024

The opera follows the doomed lovers and their coterie of artist friends chasing happiness against impossible odds. —Anne Gelhaus, The Mercury News, 4 Nov. 2024

Those feeling strong anxiety or alarm about the race should ‘zoom out’ and get off the ‘expectation roller coaster,’ one expert on happiness said. —Kevin Rector, Los Angeles Times, 2 Nov. 2024

Take this test to find out: Self-Awareness Outcomes Questionnaire Mark Travers, Ph.d, is an American psychologist who writes about psycho-educational topics such as happiness, relationships, personality, and life meaning. —Mark Travers, Forbes, 4 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

see happy

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Kids Definition

happiness

noun

hap·​pi·​ness ˈhap-i-nəs 

: a state of well-being and contentment : joy