# happily

Pronunciation: US say "HAP-uh-lee" /ˈhæpəli/; UK say "HAP-i-lee" /ˈhæpɪli/

## Adverb

1. In a happy or cheerful manner; with a feeling of happiness.
   - Simple: In a cheerful way that shows you are glad.
   - _The two old friends chatted happily over coffee for hours._
   - _The dog barked happily and wagged its tail at the door._
2. Willingly and with good will; gladly and without reluctance.
   - Simple: In a willing and glad way, without complaining.
   - _I'd happily take the weekend shift if it helps the team out._
   - _They happily accepted the invitation to stay for dinner._
3. By good fortune; fortunately and with a successful outcome.
   - Simple: By good luck, so that things turn out well.
   - _Happily, the rain stopped just before the outdoor wedding began._
   - _The missing hikers, happily, found their way back before dark._

## Adverb

4. By chance; perhaps. *(archaic)*
   - Simple: Maybe, or as it might happen by chance.
   - _The fever may break by morning, or happily it will grow worse; the doctor would promise nothing._
   - _Happily the thieves came in through the window, happily through the cellar door. The constable could not tell which._

## Origin

From Middle English happily, formed from "happy" plus the suffix "-ly."

Source: DictionaryAI, https://dictionaryai.com/define/happily (written from Wiktionary data, CC BY-SA 4.0: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/).