DictionaryAI

happy

HAP-ee/ˈhæp.i/

Verbhappies, happying, happied

10 meanings of happy

Practice

  1. 1
    gladadjective
    Feeling glad and pleased because life is going well, or full of good feelings, like a happy childhood.

    Like the warm feeling you get when everything is going right.

    She felt happy after spending the whole day with her friends.

    The children were so happy when they saw the puppy.

    UsageSay happy for you and happy about the news. Use happier and happiest.

    Similarglad, cheerful, joyful, content, delighted

    Oppositesad, unhappy, depressed, miserable

    Note
  2. 2
    willingadjective
    Willing to do something, or pleased with something and not wanting it changed.

    I'm happy to help you carry those bags upstairs.

    She was happy to wait a few more minutes for the bus.

    UsageSay happy to help, or happy with the plan.

    Similarpleased

    Oppositedissatisfied, disenchanted

    Note
  3. 3
    in greetingsadjective
    Used in greetings to wish someone joy on a special day or event.

    Happy birthday, Grandma. We baked you a cake!

    They wished us a happy holiday as we left the party.

    UsageSay Happy plus the day or event: Happy New Year! For a shared holiday, answer You too!

    Note
  4. 4
    luckyadjective
    Lucky, or coming at just the right time by good fortune.

    By a happy chance, we found two seats right at the front.

    Finding that old photo in the attic was a happy surprise.

    UsageMostly in a happy accident and a happy coincidence.

    Similarlucky, fortunate, fortuitous, propitious, providential

    Oppositeunlucky, unfortunate, unpropitious

    Note
  5. 5
    verbcolloquialtransitive
    To make someone feel happier, or to become happier.

    Like turning on a light in a dark room to make it feel warm.

    A short visit always seems to happy up the old man.

    Good news like that will happy up the whole team.

    UsageUsually used with up, as in happy someone up. The tone is playful.

    Similarcheer, brighten, liven

    Oppositesadden

    Note

Practice

Can you tell the meanings of happy apart? Answer 3 quick questions from this page, or write your own sentence and AI will check it.

Origin

From Middle English happy, meaning "fortunate, happy." It may be linked to Old Norse heppinn ("fortunate, happy") and to hap, meaning "chance" or "luck."

Checked 1 Nov 2026 · 3 facts