happily

adverb

hap·​pi·​ly ˈha-pə-lē 

1

a

: in a fortunate manner

b

: as it fortunately happens

happily, some boyhood pleasures don't change

—P. A. Witteman

2

archaic : by chance

3

: in a happy manner or state

4

: in an adequate or fitting manner : successfully

Synonyms

• brightly
• cheerfully
• cheerily
• gaily
• gayly
• heartily
• jocosely
• jovially
• merrily
• mirthfully
• smilingly

Examples of happily in a Sentence

They have been happily married for 12 years.

They lived happily ever after.

We happily accept credit cards.

Recent Examples on the Web

Simultaneously thoughtful and animated, the illustrious drummer, vocalist and bandleader happily discussed a number of topics. —George Varga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 June 2024

Gary loves this side hustle, happily donning any disguise or persona necessary to get the job done. —Stephanie Zacharek, TIME, 2 June 2024

The dishes here come happily unadorned and arrive in red baskets lined with paper. —Kayleigh Ruller, Charlotte Observer, 20 May 2024

So there’s a strand of reality [at the end of season two] where Perry is happily with his family and not a killer, and that strand of reality exists uninterrupted by anything else that’s happening. —Brian Davids, The Hollywood Reporter, 20 May 2024

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing happily

• lived happily ever after
• live happily ever after

Kids Definition

happily

adverb

hap·​pi·​ly ˈhap-ə-lē 

1

: in a fortunate or lucky manner

happily, no one was injured

2

: in a happy manner or state

lived happily ever after

3

: in a fitting, effective, or successful manner

remarks happily worded