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

Now, on this season of The Bachelor, Ellis is finally getting his happily ever after. —Michelle Lee, People.com, 25 Mar. 2025

The camera briefly pans away to showcase another camel happily munching on the snacks when suddenly Slaton begins screaming, and a quick pan reveals that another camel is chomping on her upper arm. —EW.com, 25 Mar. 2025

Now, Valeria is a new mom and happily married to a man who was also in the program. —Celene Viveros Garces, Baltimore Sun, 24 Mar. 2025

Piper happily agrees, and Lachlan offers to stay with her. —Erik Kain, Forbes, 24 Mar. 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