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Meaning & use

true happiness

noun·Advanced

Last updated

UK/ˌtruː ˈhæpinəs/
US/ˌtruː ˈhæpinəs/

Meanings

  1. noununcountable

    A deep, lasting feeling of contentment and meaning, not just a temporary good mood.

    Grammar: Uncountable, so no plural and no 'a': 'a state of true happiness', not 'a true happiness'.

    Patterns

    • find true happiness
    • a sense of true happiness
    • true happiness comes from something

    Many people believe that true happiness comes from close relationships, not money.

    After years of searching, she finally found true happiness in a small village.

    The book explores what true happiness means in different cultures.

  2. noununcountable

    The state of being genuinely pleased or satisfied with your life as a whole.

    Grammar: Often used after verbs like 'experience' or 'achieve': experience true happiness.

    Patterns

    • experience true happiness
    • achieve true happiness
    • the key to true happiness

    He felt a moment of true happiness when his daughter was born.

    For some, true happiness is simply having enough time to relax.

    They say that gratitude is the key to true happiness.

Common combinations

find true happiness
He traveled the world to find true happiness.
true happiness comes from within
My grandmother always said that true happiness comes from within.
a source of true happiness
Music has been a source of true happiness for her.
the secret to true happiness
Scientists are still debating the secret to true happiness.

Synonyms and how they differ

contentment
A quiet, satisfied feeling; it can be less intense and more peaceful than true happiness.
fulfillment
Focuses on achieving something meaningful; true happiness is more about emotional well-being.
joy
A strong, often brief feeling of great pleasure; true happiness is deeper and longer-lasting.

Opposites

miseryunhappiness

Word family

happy adjective
Feeling or showing pleasure.
happily adverb
In a happy way.
happiness noun
The state of being happy.

Commonly confused: true happiness or true happy?

true happiness vs true happy

Incorrect; 'happy' is an adjective, so you need the noun 'happiness' after 'true'.

Practice

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