happy

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العربية الفصحى
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/ˈhæpi/
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Feeling or expressing pleasure, showing willingness, benefiting from good fortune, or fitting a purpose particularly well.
Practice using happy in conversation until it feels natural

Examples

  • The talks reached a happy conclusion.
  • A happy turn of events saved the project.
  • His happy smile filled the room.
  • I am happy with the final result.
  • She felt happy after hearing the news.

Similar words

joyful
pleased
propitious
content
favourable
glad
willing
felicitous
effective
cheerful

Meanings

Feeling or expressing pleasure

adjective
emotion
neutral
Feeling pleased, contented, or joyful, or showing and creating those feelings.

Examples

  • She felt happy after hearing the news.
  • They have built a happy life together.
  • I am happy with the final result.
  • His happy smile filled the room.
  • The reunion made everyone happy.

Similar words

glad
pleased
content
cheerful
joyful
delighted

Willing to do something

adjective
social
neutral
Willing or ready to do something, especially when offering help or agreeing to a request.

Examples

  • I would be happy to answer any questions.
  • Our staff are happy to arrange a replacement.
  • She was happy to lend me the book.
  • They are happy to wait until Friday.
  • He said he would be happy to speak at the meeting.

Similar words

willing
ready
glad
pleased
content

Favoured by good fortune

adjective
chance
neutral
Fortunate or producing an unexpectedly good result.

Examples

  • A happy coincidence brought the old friends together.
  • The mistake had the happy result of revealing the flaw.
  • It was a happy accident that improved the recipe.
  • A happy turn of events saved the project.
  • The talks reached a happy conclusion.

Similar words

fortunate
lucky
favourable
propitious

Well suited or effective

adjective
communication
formal
Particularly suitable, apt, or effective for a situation.

Examples

  • The editor found a happy phrase for the difficult idea.
  • Blue proved a happy choice for the quiet room.
  • The new schedule is a happy compromise.
  • That image was a happy way to open the speech.
  • The two materials make a happy combination.

Similar words

apt
fitting
suitable
felicitous
effective

Etymology

From Middle English happy, formed from hap, meaning “chance” or “good fortune,” and -y. The earliest senses concerned luck before the word developed its modern emotional meaning.

FAQ

What does happy usually mean?

Happy usually means feeling pleased, contented, or joyful, or showing those feelings.

What does happy to help mean?

Happy to help expresses willing and friendly readiness to assist.

What is a happy coincidence?

A happy coincidence is an unplanned event that produces a fortunate result.

Can happy mean suitable?

In formal use, happy can describe a choice or expression that is especially apt or effective.

What are the comparative forms of happy?

The comparative is happier and the superlative is happiest.

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