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

Somewhere out there is a travel buddy who’ll happily test camera angles with you. —Remy Blumenfeld, The Hollywood Reporter, 14 Dec. 2024

Fans of the crime genre will be wholly and happily immersed in these classic thrillers. —Lizz Schumer, People.com, 14 Dec. 2024

The first kitten who came, Henry, happily went inside their house, but the others, Clyde and Mama, hesitated. —Stephan Pechdimaldji, Newsweek, 13 Dec. 2024

His sobering diagnosis, complete irreverence and insatiable curiosity, send him on an unexpected journey learning how to die happily and ridiculously without losing his sense of humor. —Peter Debruge, Variety, 11 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