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 actor is happily married to his longtime wife, Tomasina Tate. —Elizabeth Ayoola, Essence, 12 Sep. 2025

The Klingon time crystal that gave Pike a premonition of his tragic fate could happily sit on a mantelpiece at Hogwarts. —Richard Edwards, Space.com, 11 Sep. 2025

The episode ends with a one-year time-jump that sees a married Cherry pregnant with Daniel's child, standing happily with Howard, now her father-in-law. —Julia Moore, People.com, 11 Sep. 2025

With the demon defeated and the haunting over, the Warrens get to experience something of a happily ever after, living to experience Judy’s wedding and see their daughter have her own baby. —Dani Di Placido, Forbes.com, 10 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