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

• cheerfully

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

The upgraded exhaust system is a delight, burbling happily at idle, accompanying acceleration with a happy snort. —Mark Phelan, Freep.com, 6 Sep. 2025

Alexandra is ready to finally find her happily ever after. —Liza Esquibias, PEOPLE, 4 Sep. 2025

Jeremiah still very much hates Conrad and happily tells him that Belly is staying in Paris, so they both got dumped basically. —Kathleen Walsh, Vulture, 3 Sep. 2025

Amarda Shehu was happily leading George Mason University’s Institute for Digital Innovation, which promotes research in AI and cybersecurity along with other technologies, when she was approached by the Virginia school’s president to serve as its first-ever chief AI officer (CAIO). —John Kell, Fortune, 3 Sep. 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

Rhymes for happily

• unhappily

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