1
a
: in a fortunate manner
b
: as it fortunately happens
happily, some boyhood pleasures don't change—
P. A. Witteman
P. A. Witteman2
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
The original film ended with Nani, Lilo, and Stitch embracing their newfound family and living happily together.
—Laura Sirikul, Forbes.com, 26 May 2025
From their early days on the Disney Channel to their happily ever afters with their significant others, these celebrities are now all grown up, married and in some cases, having kids of their own.
—Alexandra Schonfeld, People.com, 26 May 2025
Groups of bosons will happily all do exactly the same thing.
—Shalma Wegsman, Wired News, 25 May 2025
Only Musk could shut this machine down, but plenty of others lend it their credibility and happily turn the cranks, ensuring that the culture war grinds on and on.
—Charlie Warzel, The Atlantic, 23 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for happily
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Laura Sirikul, Forbes.com, 26 May 2025
From their early days on the Disney Channel to their happily ever afters with their significant others, these celebrities are now all grown up, married and in some cases, having kids of their own.
—Alexandra Schonfeld, People.com, 26 May 2025
Groups of bosons will happily all do exactly the same thing.
—Shalma Wegsman, Wired News, 25 May 2025
Only Musk could shut this machine down, but plenty of others lend it their credibility and happily turn the cranks, ensuring that the culture war grinds on and on.
—Charlie Warzel, The Atlantic, 23 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for happily
Cite this Entry
“Happily.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/happily. Accessed 4 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
happily
adverb
hap·pi·ly
ˈhap-ə-lē 
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
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