happily

adverb

hap·​pi·​ly ˈha-pə-lē How to pronounce happily (audio)
1
a
: in a fortunate manner
b
: as it fortunately happens
happily, some boyhood pleasures don't changeP. A. Witteman
2
archaic : by chance
3
: in a happy manner or state
4
: in an adequate or fitting manner : successfully

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
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.
Seasons 1 and 2 both ended with tension and cliffhangers, but this finale wraps up with all of the girls happily supporting each other. Selome Hailu, Variety, 24 Jan. 2025 Corbin and his family happily accepted the offer — and were graced with Swift’s presence at the game. Meredith Nardino, Miami Herald, 24 Jan. 2025 In real life, The Haves and the Have Nots alum has been happily in love with his fiancée Miracle Watts since 2021 after having met on the set of P-Valley. Stephanie Sengwe, People.com, 23 Jan. 2025 Kasten happily addressed the perception that the Dodgers are ruining baseball. Bill Shaikin, Los Angeles Times, 23 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for happily 

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of happily was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near happily

Cite this Entry

“Happily.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/happily. Accessed 2 Feb. 2025.

Kids Definition

happily

adverb
hap·​pi·​ly ˈhap-ə-lē How to pronounce happily (audio)
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

More from Merriam-Webster on happily

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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