happiness

noun

hap·​pi·​ness ˈha-pē-nəs How to pronounce happiness (audio)
1
a
: a state of well-being and contentment : joy
b
: a pleasurable or satisfying experience
I wish you every happiness in life.
I had the happiness of seeing youW. S. Gilbert
2
: felicity, aptness
a striking happiness of expression
3
obsolete : good fortune : prosperity
all happiness bechance to theeWilliam Shakespeare

Examples of happiness in a Sentence

They made a toast to long life and happiness. her happiness was complete when she got her very own house
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
It’s also based in part on Harvard’s The Human Flourishing Program, which measures human flourishing based on five areas, including happiness and life satisfaction, physical and mental health, meaning and purpose, character and virtue, and close social relationships. Anne Field, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2025 The mood boosts were linked to caffeine consumption, with researchers finding that the positive emotions included enthusiasm and happiness. Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 29 Aug. 2025 There are a variety of reasons why a dog might howl, including to communicate with other dogs, to get your attention, to express emotions from happiness to anxiety, or as a pain response, according to PetMD. Many dogs, like Moomin, howl in response to a triggering noise, from music to sirens. Rachael O'Connor, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Aug. 2025 Smiling Friends’ third season will center on Pim, Charlie, Flint and the rest of the gang in their quest to spread happiness. Ryan Gajewski, HollywoodReporter, 28 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for happiness

Word History

Etymology

see happy

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Time Traveler
The first known use of happiness was in the 15th century

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Cite this Entry

“Happiness.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/happiness. Accessed 4 Sep. 2025.

Kids Definition

happiness

noun
hap·​pi·​ness ˈhap-i-nəs How to pronounce happiness (audio)
: a state of well-being and contentment : joy

More from Merriam-Webster on happiness

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