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

Helping Others To Contend With The Blues Some people might happily declare that they are never adversely impacted by the winter season. —Lance Eliot, Forbes, 2 Jan. 2025

Bill was happily insecure, increasingly self-aware, yet sure there was always so much more to learn and understand. —David A. Ross, Artforum, 1 Jan. 2025

In one photo, a 7-year-old Eilish smiles happily in front of a birthday cake designed to look like a vanity. —Rachel Desantis, People.com, 30 Dec. 2024

Everything ended happily, with one little boy and one little book. —Erik Pedersen, Orange County Register, 27 Dec. 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