happiness

noun

hap·​pi·​ness ˈha-pē-nəs 

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 you

—W. S. Gilbert

2

: felicity, aptness

a striking happiness of expression

3

obsolete : good fortune : prosperity

all happiness bechance to thee

—William Shakespeare

Synonyms

• beatitude
• blessedness
• bliss
• blissfulness
• felicity
• gladness
• joy
• warm fuzzies

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

Dopamine is also released, creating happiness and satisfaction while lowering levels of stress and anxiety. —Yaakov Katz, Newsweek, 8 Feb. 2025

Today well-lived makes every yesterday a dream of happiness and every tomorrow a vision of hope. —Contributed Content, Twin Cities, 7 Feb. 2025

Plus, research suggests that people who regularly engage in hobbies have fewer symptoms of depression and better health, happiness, and life satisfaction than those who don’t. —Angela Haupt, TIME, 5 Feb. 2025

Including measures for symptoms of depression, anxiety, and loneliness, and assessing the participants’ sense of happiness as well as their sense of life as satisfying and worthwhile, the survey results reveal that people tend to feel their best in the morning and their worst at night. —Sam Walters, Discover Magazine, 4 Feb. 2025

Word History

Etymology

see happy

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Kids Definition

happiness

noun

hap·​pi·​ness ˈhap-i-nəs 

: a state of well-being and contentment : joy