Meaning & use
happy
Last updated
Meanings
adjectivecomparable
Feeling pleased, cheerful, or satisfied with life.
Grammar: Can come before a noun or after be/feel: a happy child; she feels happy.
Patterns
- be happy about something
- be happy with something
- be happy for someone
The children were happy to see snow on the ground.
She looked happy after hearing the good news.
I am happy with my new job.
adjectiveafter a verb
Willing to do something and glad to help.
Grammar: Followed by to + verb: I'm happy to help.
Patterns
- be happy to do something
I'm happy to drive you to the airport.
They were happy to answer any questions.
Are you happy to wait a few minutes?
adjectivebefore a noun
Bringing, showing, or marked by good luck or joy.
Grammar: Before a noun, often in greetings or descriptions: a happy ending, happy birthday.
Patterns
- a happy ending
- a happy coincidence
The story has a happy ending.
It was a happy coincidence that we both chose the same cafe.
Happy birthday! I hope your day is wonderful.
Word forms
| comparative | happier |
|---|---|
| superlative | happiest |
Common combinations
- happy with
- Are you happy with your exam results?
- happy for
- I'm so happy for you; you deserve it.
- happy to help
- We're always happy to help new neighbors.
- happy ending
- The film has a happy ending.
- perfectly happy
- He is perfectly happy living in a small flat.
- happy hour
- The bar offers cheap drinks during happy hour.
Synonyms and how they differ
- glad
- Glad is usually about a particular piece of news or event, while happy can describe a general state.
- cheerful
- Cheerful describes a bright, lively manner that others can see, not only an inner feeling.
- content
- Content is quieter and means satisfied, without strong excitement.
- delighted
- Delighted is much stronger and suggests great pleasure.
Opposites
Word family
- happily adverb
- in a happy way, or luckily
- happiness noun
- the state of being happy
- unhappy adjective
- not happy
- happy-go-lucky adjective
- carefree and easygoing
Commonly confused: happy or glad?
happy vs glad
Glad usually follows a verb and refers to a reaction, such as glad to see you; happy can come before a noun, as in a happy child.
Practice
I'm really happy ____ you; you got the job you wanted!
Choose one answer.
Happy for someone means glad on their behalf. Happy with means satisfied with something.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “happy”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.