1
a
: in a fortunate manner
b
: as it fortunately happens
happily, some boyhood pleasures don't change—
P. A. Witteman
2
archaic
: by chance
3
: in a happy manner or state
4
: in an adequate or fitting manner : successfully
Synonyms
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
Her love of romance blossomed in high school when unrequited crushes led her to seek happily ever afters in books and movies.
—Tiara Allen, Austin American-Statesman, 22 Nov. 2024
Whether due to denial or the fog of addiction, Nuala remembers motherhood more happily.
—Guy Lodge, Variety, 21 Nov. 2024
The film wraps everything up in a neat little bow at the end, giving it a decidedly happily ever after (and their widower dad his first chance at love since his late wife’s death).
—Sara Belcher, People.com, 19 Nov. 2024
The season begins by resurrecting the cops’ interest in the circumstances surrounding JP’s death at precisely the moment Grace finds a happily ever after with new husband Ian (Owen McDonnell).
—Jen Chaney, Vulture, 14 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for happily 
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Cite this Entry
“Happily.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/happily. Accessed 2 Dec. 2024.
Kids 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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