Meaning & use
happily
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Meanings
adverb
In a way that shows you are pleased and content.
Grammar: Usually comes after the verb or at the end of the clause.
They lived happily in a small cottage by the sea.
She smiled happily when she heard the news.
The children played happily in the garden all afternoon.
adverb
Used to say that something is lucky or fortunate, often when introducing good news.
Grammar: Often at the beginning of a sentence, meaning 'fortunately'.
Happily, no one was hurt in the accident.
Happily, the weather stayed fine for the whole trip.
The missing dog was happily found safe and well.
Common combinations
- live happily ever after
- The fairy tale ends with the prince and princess living happily ever after.
- happily married
- They have been happily married for over thirty years.
- happily accept
- I happily accept your invitation to dinner.
- smile happily
- He smiled happily at the surprise party.
Synonyms and how they differ
- joyfully
- Stronger and more excited than 'happily'; often shows lively emotion.
- cheerfully
- Focuses on a bright, positive mood, especially in difficult situations.
- fortunately
- Used for the 'good luck' meaning; 'happily' can also mean this but is more literary.
Opposites
Word family
Commonly confused: happily or haply?
happily vs haply
An old-fashioned word meaning 'perhaps' or 'by chance'; not the same as 'happily'.
Practice
Choose the correct word: 'Happily, the storm passed without causing any damage.' What does 'happily' mean here?
Choose one answer.
'Happily' at the start of a sentence often means 'fortunately', introducing good news. The other options describe manner, which does not fit the context of a storm passing.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “happily”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.