happily

adverb

HAP-uh-lee/ˈhæpəli/UKHAP-i-lee/ˈhæpɪli/

4 meanings of happily

1
adverb
In a cheerful way that shows you are glad.
Like someone who smiles the whole time they work.
The children played happily in the garden all afternoon.
She hummed happily while she cooked dinner.
Similarcheerfully, joyously
Oppositeunhappily, sadly, miserably, gloomily
Note
2
adverb
In a willing and glad way, without complaining.
Like saying yes to a favor with a smile, not a sigh.
He happily agreed to help us move the boxes.
She would happily lend you the money if you just asked.
Similargladly
Oppositereluctantly, unwillingly, grudgingly
3
adverb
By good luck, so that things turn out well.
Like having a spare key in your pocket just when the door locks.
Happily, no one was hurt in the crash.
The repairs were finished quickly and, happily, under budget.
Similarfortunately, luckily, mercifully, thankfully
Oppositeunfortunately, unluckily, sadly

Less common meaning

4
adverbarchaic
Maybe, or as it might happen by chance.
Happily the bus will come soon, and happily it will not. No one at the stop can say.
And who knoweth whether a thousand yeares hence a third opinion will rise, which happily shall overthrow these two precedents?
1603, Michel de Montaigne, The EssayesHere, happily means perhaps or by chance.
Note

Practice

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Origin

It comes from the word "happy" plus the ending "-ly."