Meaning & use

happily

adverb·Everyday

In a happy manner, or fortunately as a way of introducing good news.

See it in a sentence

The children played happily in the park all afternoon long.

Happily, the storm passed well before the outdoor wedding began.

A note on using this word

When placed at the start of a sentence, 'happily' often means 'fortunately' rather than describing manner.

Words with a similar meaning

joyfullyfortunately

Choose a synonym to suit the sentence. Meanings can overlap without being identical.

Words with an opposite meaning

sadlyunhappily

Make it your own

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