happy

[ hap-ee ]

adjective

, hap·pi·er, hap·pi·est.

1. delighted, pleased, or glad, as over a particular thing:

   I'm so happy to see you!

   Synonyms: satisfied, blissful, contented, merry, cheerful, blithe, joyful, joyous

   Antonyms: sad

2. characterized by or indicative of pleasure, contentment, or joy:

   a happy mood;

   a happy frame of mind.

3. willing to be helpful, as with assistance, a contribution, or participation:

   We’ll be happy to bring a couple of salads to the party.

4. favored by fortune; fortunate or lucky:

   Our home country is a happy, fruitful land.

   Synonyms: prosperous, successful, propitious, favorable

5. (used as part of an expression of good wishes on a special occasion):

   Happy Valentine’s Day to my husband.

   Happy Birthday, Grandpa!

6. apt or felicitous, as actions, utterances, or ideas:

   Their collaboration was a happy accident.

   Synonyms: pertinent, opportune, fitting, appropriate

7. obsessed by or quick to use the item indicated (usually used in combination):

   He was a trigger-happy gangster.

   Everybody is gadget-happy these days.

happy

¹

/ ˈhæpɪ /

adjective

1. feeling, showing, or expressing joy; pleased
2. willing

   I'd be happy to show you around

3. causing joy or gladness
4. fortunate; lucky

   the happy position of not having to work

5. aptly expressed; appropriate

   a happy turn of phrase

6. informal.
   postpositive slightly intoxicated

interjection

1. ( in combination )

   happy birthday

   happy Christmas

-happy

²

combining form

1. denoting excessive enthusiasm for or devotion to

   gun-happy

Derived Forms

• ˈhappiness, noun
• ˈhappily, adverb

Other Words From

• o·ver·hap·py adjective
• qua·si-hap·py adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of happy¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; from Middle English; hap ¹( def ), -y ¹( def )

Word History and Origins

Origin of happy¹

C14: see hap ¹, -y ¹

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. happy as a clam. happy as a clam.

More idioms and phrases containing happy

• many happy returns
• trigger happy

Example Sentences

Set life for us is so good that when other people come to visit us on set, other guest stars, they're always like, "Wow, you all are happy."

From Salon

“Like after we got it, no one was mad. No one was trying to take it from us. Everyone was just super happy.”

From Los Angeles Times

But I always said as well, when you have problems with each other, you’re not happy with something, you talk, you communicate, right?

From BBC

She was like, “I’m happy this is you doing this because I can trust that it’s in good hands.”

From Los Angeles Times

She was happy to discover that other things were more negotiable than her partner’s favorite football team.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• cheerful
• delighted
• ecstatic
• elated
• enraptured
• exultant
• glad
• gleeful
• jolly
• joyful
• joyous
• jubilant
• merry
• mirthful
• overjoyed
• thrilled
• up
• upbeat

When To Use

What are other ways to say happy?

The adjective happy is sometimes used to describe things that are favored by fortune. How does it differ from fortunate and lucky? Find out on Thesaurus.com 

More About Happy

What is a basic definition of happy?

Happy describes a feeling of joy, delight, or glee. It also describes something that is related to or shows joy. Happy can describe someone being willing to do something or be helpful. Happy is used in many expressions that wish good tidings to another person. Happy has a few other senses as an adjective.

Happy describes feeling really good, as when a person in a good mood that makes them smile. Happiness refers to this positive emotion. Happily means in a happy way.

Real-life examples: Everybody has something that makes them happy. Cute animals, presents, compliments, and loved ones make most people feel happy.

Used in a sentence: The surprise birthday party really made Abdul happy.

Happy also describes something that shows or is related to feelings of happiness and joy.

Used in a sentence: The friendly clown had a happy smile. 

Happy describes someone being willing to do something, especially to help or assist someone else. They don’t think whatever they will do is a problem or a chore.

Real-life examples: Many experts are happy to show off their knowledge. Salespeople are often happy to explain things to customers if it means selling more items.

Used in a sentence: I’d be happy to give you a ride to the mall since I was going there anyway. 

The word happy is used in many greetings and expressions that wish a person well or wish that they have a good future.

Used in a sentence: Happy birthday!

Where does happy come from?

The first records of happy come from around 1350. It comes from Middle English and is a combination of the word hap, meaning “a person’s luck or lot,” and the suffix –y meaning “characterized by.” The word hap comes from the Old Norse happ, meaning “luck” or “chance.”

Did you know ... ?

What are some other forms related to happy?

• overhappy (adjective)
• quasi-happy (adjective)
• happiness (noun)
• happily (adverb)

What are some synonyms for happy?

• cheerful
• glad
• joyful
• merry
• upbeat

What are some words that share a root or word element with happy? 

• hap
• happy-go-lucky
• happy medium
• happy hour
• happy holidays 

What are some words that often get used in discussing happy?

• news
• feeling
• baby

How is happy used in real life?

Happy is a common word that most often means someone feels really good or has a big smile.

https://twitter.com/ZharnaeAseliend/status/1332497813838688256

https://twitter.com/snapchatsupport/status/1240500775303823365

https://twitter.com/Target/status/1311685244291100673

Try using happy!

Which of the following words is a synonym of happy?

1. sad
2. angry
3. cheerful
4. scared