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

This is a classic movie problem, the kind of too-neat hangup that has to be vaulted over on the way toward happily ever after — so, naturally, Ally has a classic meet-cute at a coffee shop with a handsome stranger named Jay (Mason Gooding) whose issue line up perfectly with hers. —Alison Willmore, Vulture, 7 Feb. 2025

Kevin Costner's ex-wife, Christine Baumgartner, is happily flashing her new sparkler while out-and-about with her fiancé, Joshua Connor. —Janelle Ash, Fox News, 4 Feb. 2025

In the second half, Spurs slowed the game down, happily eating up time when required. —Jack Pitt-Brooke, The Athletic, 3 Feb. 2025

Cut to February 2, 2025, and Rodrigo and Carpenter are happily chatting—and hugging—at the Grammys. —Elizabeth Logan, Glamour, 3 Feb. 2025

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